Dietician Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

Society is very fast paced, and the emphasis placed on eating and drinking foods that are cheap and convenient has created a situation in which obesity and diabetes are on the rise. In order to avoid being diagnosed with these serious conditions, people have started to pay more attention to the foods they eat, and sought out diets that are more healthy and conducive to an active lifestyle. Dieticians are the professionals that individuals and doctors often turn to in order to educate people about how they should be altering their diets and how to formulate diet plans that are effective and realistic. Dieticians are often hired to manage people that order and prepare foods for large amounts of individuals, although they are also known to work as private practitioners as well.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$42,800
Salary Range
$36,900 - $54,100

Work Environment

It is possible for trained dieticians to find work in a wide variety of professional settings, including elementary and secondary schools, correctional facilities, hospitals, nursing homes and health clubs. Some are also employed by insurance companies, and different companies in the food and beverage industry.

High School Preparation

Those students who think that they would be successful as a professional dietician should start tailoring their education to this goal from the high school level. Students should strive to do their best in courses like biology, chemistry, algebra, physical education, psychology, social studies, and home economics. Additional studies should include anatomy, strong reading, writing and speaking skills, business administration, and the health occupations/medical professions.

Requirements

In most cases, employers will only accept applications from individuals that have received an undergraduate degree in diet and nutrition from a college or university that has been accredited by American Dietetic Association (ADA). Upon graduation, students should seek to be accepted for membership in the ADA, as many employers look for this on the application. Membership is granted after gaining a bachelor’s degree and completing pre-professional practice program or dietetic internship. There is also an examination that must be passed in order to gain full membership into the ADA.

Career Outlook

Those thinking about entering the dietician industry will be pleased to learn that experts predict growth in the number of jobs to the tune of about 10 or 20 percent in the next couple of years. This demand is attributed to the large amount of diet related illnesses that have emerged in the past few years and the number of people that are interested in treating these conditions with diet directly instead of surgery or medicine.

Professional Organizations

American Dietetic Association
216 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (800) 877-1600
www.eatright.org