Nutritionist Salary
A nutritionist is responsible for the planning, supervision and overseeing of nutrition programs and meal preparation. Illnesses may be prevented or treated with the proper diet and nutritionists work to help patients determine what their dietary needs are based on many factors. If you love to work with food and help others find the food needed to improve their quality of life, a career as a nutritionist may be appropriate for you. Before you make a final decision, you should look into the nutritionist salary along with the education, training and certification requirements.
Nutritionist Education
In order to obtain work as a nutritionist, you must complete a bachelor’s degree in food service systems management, dietetics, food and nutrition or a related field. You may also choose to obtain a graduate degree which may increase your job opportunities. Two hundred seventy nine programs were offered in 2008 that were approved by the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Eighteen masters degree programs were also approved by this Commission.
Nutritionist Licensure and Certification
Forty six states and jurisdictions now have laws in place regarding dietetics. Thirty three of these states require that one becomes licensed to practice in the state, twelve have statutory certification and one requires that you register as a dietitian. The requirements for each vary by state and an exam may need to be successfully passed. If your state is one that requires you become licensed, you must be licensed to work in this field.
If statutory certification is required, you cannot use the title without meeting the requirements. Registration is the least restrictive of the three and those who are not registered may practice as a nutritionist legally. Certification is also offered, although not required, through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association. Once certification is completed, you may call yourself a Registered Dietitian.
Nutritionist Salary
The median nutritionist salary as of May 2008 was $50,590. Those in the lowest 10% made $31,460 or less a year while those in the top 10% made $73,410 or more. Outpatient care center nutritionists, on average, made the most as their median nutritionist salary for the same time period was $52,210. Those who worked in special food services had the lowest median nutritionist salary at $45,410. Your wages will depend in part on how long you have been practicing, where you live and your education level. All factors must be looked at when determining if you should pursue employment as a nutritionist.
Job Growth Outlook For Nutritionists
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs for nutritionists should grow at a rate of 9% until 2018. This is about average when compared to the rest of jobs in the country.
As our population ages more and more healthcare is expected to focus on disease prevention. This is where a nutritionist comes in, helping their patients with the planning of their daily meals to help them live a healthy life.
While hospitals are expected to remain a larger employer of nutritionists, it’s also expected that many hospitals will contract out their nutrition plans to other agencies such as outcare patient facilities. So keep this in mind and widen your job prospect areas to areas outside of simply hospitals.
Here is a good video that discusses both the pros and cons of becoming a nutritionist:
No related posts.