Nutritionist Salaries
The salaries of nutritionists and dietitians vary based on several factors. The type of industry for which the nutritionist works, the location of the job, and the education level of the nutritionist all determine the average salary. The overall average salary for nutritionists and dietitians as of May 2006 was $46,980, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By May 2008, it was $51,470. As the average income has grown, so has the market. The job market for nutritionists is expected to grow 6 percent from 2006 to 2016.
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Overall Earnings
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paid nutritionists earned more than $68,330 in 2006. The lowest paid fell below $29,860. The industries that have the highest salaries for nutritionists and dietitians employ the lowest number of them.
Industries: Most Employed
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2006 nutritionists and dietitians made the most money working for outpatient care centers where the median annual income was $49,950. Those in general medical and surgical hospitals made a median of $47,320. State governments and nursing care facilities paid their nutritionists and dietitians median salaries of $46,690 and $46,660 respectively. Out of the industries with the most nutritionists and dietitians, local governments paid the lowest salary median at $43,250. General medical and surgical offices employed the most nutritionists and dietitians.
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Industries- Highest Paid
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As of May 2008, employment services (services designed to help individuals attain work) pay the highest salary out of all of the industries, with an average salary of $66,230. The Federal Executive Branch pays $65,970, home health care services pay $59,280, and vocational rehabilitation services pay $59,280. Last on the list of industries that pay the highest salaries for nutritionists and dietitians are medical and diagnostic laboratories. There the average annual salary for nutritionists and dietitians is $58,720. Though last on this list, medical and diagnostic laboratories still pay more than all of the industries that employ the most nutritionists and dietitians. (See Reference 1).
Location
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Location is also an important consideration for analyzing the salaries of nutritionists and dietitians in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Connecticut as of May 2008 has the highest salary for nutritionists and dietitians. There they earn $62,260. The next states with the highest average salaries are Maryland ($60,500), New Jersey ($60,280), California ($60,250), and Hawaii ($59,390). The states with the lowest salaries are, in no particular order, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Mississippi, and Louisiana. These states have salaries between $41,000 and $45,000. Lastly, nutritionists and dietitians generally have higher salaries in metropolitan versus non-metropolitan areas, but this is not always the case. Rural areas with a high need for nutritionists and dietitians may pay more to encourage people to work in the area.
Other factors
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According to PayScale.com, women generally make more money than men as nutritionists and dietitians, with women earning an average of $49,443 annually and men earning $47,865. Those who have more experience make more money as well. Nutritionists with less than one year earn approximately $40,000 per year whereas nutritionists with over 20 years experience earn approximately $60,000 per year. Also, the more education a nutritionist has, the higher their salary. Most nutritionists have a bachelor's of science, however several schools offer graduate and doctorate degrees specifically in nutrition.
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References
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