What Dietitians and Nutritionists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Dietitians and Nutritionists this way: "Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling"; "Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client"; "Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation"; "Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life"; "Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used in teaching".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is internship/residency.
Job outlook for Dietitians and Nutritionists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 86,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 93,000 in 2035, an increase of 6,700 jobs (+7.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 5,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 8.5% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $76,400, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Dietitians and Nutritionists earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $82,626 in New Jersey to $84,325 in New York, a gap of $1,698 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $76,400 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 8,210, which is 53.0% of the 15,490 counted across them. New York follows with 7,280.
Highest-paying states
New York ($84,325) and New Jersey ($82,626) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($82,626) and New York ($84,325) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Dietitians and Nutritionists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include Anesthesiologists, General Internal Medicine Physicians, Dentists, General and Pharmacists.
Frequently asked questions about Dietitians and Nutritionists
What is the national median wage for Dietitians and Nutritionists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $76,400. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $82,626 to $84,325.
Which state pays Dietitians and Nutritionists the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $84,325. New Jersey is next at $82,626.
What is the job outlook for Dietitians and Nutritionists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 7.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 5,700 openings a year.
What education do Dietitians and Nutritionists need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree and internship/residency, according to BLS.