Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Dietitians and nutritionists work at the intersection of science, health, and communication. Nationally, there are about 91,000 people employed in this field, with a projected employment growth of 5.5%. That combination points to a career path that offers both an existing employment base and room for expansion. The role draws on science, critical and analytical thinking, and mathematics, making it a strong option for people who enjoy evidence-based work. It also relies heavily on interpersonal, speaking and listening, and customer service skills, reflecting the importance of working directly with people and other professionals. Writing and reading, project management, and computers and information technology are additional core skills, indicating that dietitians and nutritionists often organize information, manage tasks, and document their work carefully. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals, this occupation presents a balanced mix of people-focused interaction and structured, analytical problem solving with a clear educational path and defined labor-market indicators.
The national median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists is $73,850. Within this overall picture, earnings vary by location. Among the highlighted states, California stands out with a median salary of $98,850, followed by Washington at $84,220 and New York at $82,480. Massachusetts and Colorado offer median salaries of $76,660 and $75,510, respectively. At the metro level, some areas show even higher pay. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $122,910, and the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA metro reports $117,380. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro has a median of $86,690, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH report $81,750 and $77,840. These figures indicate that local markets can significantly influence earning potential within this profession.
Dietitians and nutritionists have a national employment base of about 91,000, with projected employment growth of 5.5%. This growth rate applies consistently across the top states and metro areas highlighted, suggesting a broadly similar expansion pattern in multiple regions. The occupation is expected to generate about 6,000 annual openings nationwide. Those openings reflect a combination of new positions and turnover in existing roles. The presence of both a defined current employment level and a clear projection of additional opportunities provides prospective workers with concrete indicators of demand. Because the same 5.5% projected growth is reported for leading states such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, as well as top metros like San Jose, New York–Newark–Jersey City, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, people interested in this career can consider a range of locations without a major difference in projected growth percentage.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities for dietitians and nutritionists. Among states, California ranks highly with a median salary of $98,850, employment of 8,720, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also show strong indicators, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $76,660 and $82,480. Colorado and Washington round out the list with opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro combines a very high median salary of $122,910 with an opportunity score of 77.42. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro has an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 5,490, indicating a large local market. The San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA metro offers a median salary of $117,380 and an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria and Boston–Cambridge–Newton also provide solid opportunity scores and established employment bases, giving candidates multiple strong geographic options.
The typical education requirement for dietitians and nutritionists is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education aligns with the field’s emphasis on science, mathematics, and critical and analytical thinking. A strong foundation in science supports the evidence-based nature of the work, while mathematics and analytical skills help with interpreting information and making sound decisions. Interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and customer service are also central, reflecting the importance of communicating effectively and working closely with others. Project management and problem solving and decision making indicate that these professionals often coordinate tasks and navigate complex situations. Writing and reading skills, along with competence in computers and information technology, support accurate documentation and effective use of digital tools. For students planning their path or career changers assessing readiness, building these skill areas alongside a bachelor’s degree is a key part of preparing for this occupation.
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