Earnings
Pay
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $55,240 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,500, and the top 10 percent earned more than $77,590.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the median annual wage for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) was $60,000 in 2013.
Most dietitians and nutritionists worked full time in 2012, although about 1 out of 5 worked part time. Self-employed dietitians have more flexibility in setting their schedules. They may work evenings and weekends so that they can meet with clients.
Dietitian Dollar Signs
Here’s a surprising factoid unique to dietetics: Did you know that the range of RD salaries is so wide that the top 10% of RDs earn more than twice as much per hour as those in the bottom 10%? With such a wide range of pay, what makes the difference between being on the bottom and the top of the paying field? The 2007 ADA compensation survey points out a few factors that appear to sway income.
More…
Outpatient care centers | $52,120 |
General medical and surgical hospitals | 51,390 |
Nursing care facilities | 51,110 |
Local government | 47,390 |
Special food services | 45,410 |
According to the American Dietetic Association, median annual wages for registered dietitians in 2007 varied by practice area as follows: $60,008 in consultation and business; $64,002 in food and nutrition management; $66,061 in education and research; $52,000 in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care; $53,997 in clinical nutrition/long-term care; $48,006 in community nutrition; and $48,984 in clinical nutrition/acute care. Salaries also vary by years in practice, education level, and geographic region.
What would keep you from earning $100,000 – $150,000? There are no limits!