Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
To enter the occupation, dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor's or master’s degree. They also typically are required to have supervised training through an internship. Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $76,400 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,700 openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dietitians and nutritionists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dietitians and nutritionists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $76,400 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,700 openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dietitians and nutritionists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dietitians and nutritionists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,700 openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dietitians and nutritionists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dietitians and nutritionists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Dietitians and nutritionists plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.
Work Environment
Dietitians and nutritionists work in many settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, cafeterias, and for state and local governments.
How to Become a Dietitian or Nutritionist
To enter the occupation, dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor's or master’s degree. They also typically are required to have supervised training through an internship. Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $76,400 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,700 openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dietitians and nutritionists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dietitians and nutritionists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Dietitians and nutritionists work in many settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, cafeterias, and for state and local governments.
How to Become a Dietitian or Nutritionist
To enter the occupation, dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor's or master’s degree. They also typically are required to have supervised training through an internship. Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $76,400 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,700 openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dietitians and nutritionists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dietitians and nutritionists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dietitians and nutritionists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dietitians and nutritionists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.