Dietitian and Nutritionist
What They Do:
Dietitians and nutritionists are people who are experts about food and their nutritional properties. They educate people about making the right dietary choices in their daily lives, including what to buy at the supermarket and how to prepare food in healthier ways. They advise clients how to eat in order to achieve a desired goal, whether that's losing weight or managing a chronic condition such as diabetes. Their clients might include low-income people who need to eat right on a budget. A large segment of dietitians and nutritionists are employed by hospitals to oversee the food service.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with a major in nutrition, food service management or public health
A master’s degree is recommended for those who wish to administrate in a public health organization
Many dietitians and nutritionists need to be properly licensed, something that is required in 32 states.
This field does require staying up to date regarding the latest developments in health and science news and research in order to help people to make healthy choices.
What They Make:
Accroding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2019 median income was 61,270 per year.
Where They Work:
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Medical practices
Institutional or corporate settings doing meal planning
Schools
Some are self-employed
Career Outlook:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this profession to grow at a rate of 8% percent between 2019 and 2029, resulting in 5,900 new jobs for dietitians and nutritionists.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dietitians and Nutritionists,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm (visited December 2020).
Updated December 2020
