Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics

Dietitians help people live healthy and active lives through the transformative power of food and nutrition.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts with a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program, who completed a supervised practice requirement, passed a national exam and continue professional development throughout their careers. There also are specialty credentials in areas of gerontological nutrition (CSG), sports dietetics (CSSD), pediatric nutrition (CSP), renal nutrition (CSR) and oncology nutrition (CSO). Board-certified specialists are credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Career options and specialty areas for dietitians are diverse and flexible. RDNs can:

  • perform medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team in hospitals, clinics or other health care facilities.
  • manage foodservice operations in hospitals, school districts, colleges and universities, long-term care facilities, day-care centers, correctional facilities and more — overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to setting menus and managing staff.
  • consult with food companies,  foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors and distributors, nursing home residents or company employees in corporate wellness programs.
  • develop public awareness campaigns in community and population health settings to improve peoples' quality of life through healthy eating habits.
  • help athletes, police forces, firefighters and members of the military understand the connection between food, fitness and performance in the field.
  • work in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing or product development for food and nutrition-related businesses and industries.
  • educate physicians, nurses, dietetics students and other health practitioners the sophisticated science of nutrition and dietetics in universities and medical centers, .
  • conduct dietetics research to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.

Salaries and Job Outlook

According to the 2021 Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession, the median full-time salary of RDNs is $72,000 per year. As with any profession, salaries and fees vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility and supply of RDNs. Salaries increase with experience and many RDNs — particularly those in business, management, education and research — earn incomes above $90,000.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians is projected to grow 7% from 2021-2031, as fast as the average for all occupations, because of the increased emphasis on the role of food and nutrition in preventing and treating diseases, a growing and aging population and public interest in nutrition.

Source: Become A Registered Dietician Nutritionist, https://www.eatright.org/become-an-rdn