How to Become a Dietitian / Nutritionist
Turn nutrition science into practical food and lifestyle plans that prevent and manage disease for patients and communities. It typically requires a master's degree, with a median salary of $76,400 per year and faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$76,400/yr
Middle half
$63,080 to $89,340
Job growth
Faster than average
Openings / yr
6,200
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Nutrition Assessment
- Counseling
- Meal Planning
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Helpful certifications
- RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist)
- State dietetics licensure
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
3/100
Work-life balance
71/100
Stress level
50/100
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dietitian / Nutritionist make?
The median pay for a Dietitian / Nutritionist is $76,400 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $63,080 and $89,340 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Dietitian / Nutritionist?
The usual entry point is a master's degree. Common majors are Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Science, Public Health, and Biology.
Is Dietitian / Nutritionist a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 6,200 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Dietitian / Nutritionist use most?
Common skills for this role are Nutrition Assessment, Counseling, Meal Planning, Critical Thinking, and Monitoring.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).