Research Salary Ranges and Benefits for a Dietitian
Dietitians educate the public about the link between nutrition and health, suggest dietary changes to remedy or prevent health problems, and oversee food programs in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Dietitians with advanced education or special training can expect to earn more and receive more benefits than those with bachelor's degrees. You can research salary ranges and benefits for dietitians by checking employment statistics, reading reports and surveys, and talking to dietitians.
Steps
- Check with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). You can find national statistics about wages and benefits for dietitians, plus information for states and some cities, on the BLS web site.
- Visit the websites of state government agencies to learn about the salaries and benefits of dietitians in your state.
- The state government will have an agency similar to the U.S. Department of Labor, though it may have a different name.
- Also check with the state health department and the corrections department, since many dietitians work for state hospitals and prisons.
- Contact the American Dietetic Association. The association regularly compiles detailed reports regarding compensation for dietitians.
- Scan the help wanted ads for dietitians in your local newspaper. Job ads give salary and benefit information that is very up-to-date and specific to your location. Most job ads list the pay and benefits being offered for the position.
- Browse the Internet. Search engines will help you find websites that detail dietitian salaries and benefits.
- Visit online job boards. Many are good sources for information on wages for dietitians and other professions. Some job boards let you search for salary data nationally as well as by individual states and many cities.
- Talk to dietitians in your area. Seek out dietitians at local hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors' offices or ask your family and friends to put you in touch with any dietitians they know.
Tips
- Dietitians in 16 states completed a voluntary survey in 2010, which revealed that their salaries vary widely by state. Average pay ranged from $107,000 in Alaska to a more modest $35,000 in Florida, Indiana, and Louisiana.
- The United States Department of Labor estimated that the yearly pay for dietitians ranged from $33,230 to $74,690 as of May 2009.
- Job growth for dietitians is expected to rise by 9 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is considered average. However, experts warn that jobs could suffer if employers let other professionals take over nutrition duties typically handled by dietitians or if insurance reimbursements are curtailed.
Warnings
- If you pursue a career as a dietitian, you'll need to be properly licensed, certified, and registered. The requirements depend upon the state.
- To become a dietitian, you must earn at least a bachelor's degree from a college or university. Some dietitians also choose to obtain a higher degree or special training.
