Dietitian Salaries in Canada
Amidst shrinking lifespans and expanding waistlines, Canadians are paying closer attention to the food they ingest and the way it affects their health. Not only are people avoiding calorie-packed desserts and greasy hamburgers, but they are also searching for nutritious, healthy foods to incorporate into their daily diets. Dietitians, health professionals who work across a variety of industries planning food programs and promoting healthy eating, are more important than ever.
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Entry-Level Salaries
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According to Payscale.com, the median 50 percent of entry-level dietitians in Canada earn between $38,000 and $54,000 average annual salaries. Dietitians of Canada, a Toronto-based professional group that regularly publishes articles on nutrition and the state of the industry, estimates that entry-level dietitians can expect to earn at least $40,000 annually.
Earnings Potential
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The salary of a dietitian is commensurate with work experience. Payscale.com lists the average annual earnings of the middle 50 percent of Canadian dietitians with between five and nine years of experience at $40,000 to $69,000. Dietitians who have been working for between 10 and 19 years bring home, on average, between $45,000 and $82,5000, which is notably higher than the entry-level salaries.
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Industry
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The industry in which a dietitian is employed will also affect annual earnings. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. dietitians working at education and research institutions earn $60,200 annually, while those working in a clinical environment earn $45,000 annually. While there are no hard numbers available for the discrepancy in earnings among dietitians working across various Canadian industries, the same holds true. According to Dietitians of Canada, a dietitian working in a clinical or hospital setting will earn more than a dietitian working at a long-term care facility or community health center.
Geographic Location
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Another factor impacting the salaries of dietitians and nutritionists is geographic location. Dietitians working in large metropolitan areas tend to bring home more than their counterparts working in rural environments, according to Dietitians of Canada.
Employment Outlook
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As Canadians become more health conscious, the demand for professionals who are knowledgeable about a healthy diet and lifestyle will increase as well. According to Dietitians of Canada, the employment outlook for dietitians and nutritionists is promising. A 2006 survey of recent graduates found that within one year of graduation, nearly 95 percent of new graduates are employed. On average, it takes less than two months for graduates to land their first job as a dietitian, according to the Dietitians of Canada survey.
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