Dietician Salary Information
As of 2008, over 60,000 dieticians and nutritionists were working in the United States. These health experts work in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient care centers, doctors' offices and privately with clients. A dietician commonly consults, plans, and implements food and nutrition programs, helps with meal preparation, and treats and prevents illness and disease by promoting healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices. The salaries of dieticians can vary greatly depending on several factors.
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Qualifications
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Requirements to be a dietician vary by state, but in general a dietician must posses at least a bachelor's degree, most commonly in dietetics, nutrition, food service systems management or a related field of study. Other relevant studies include business, statistics, computer science, psychology, sociology and economics. Upon completing the formal education or training, a state license, statutory certification, and/or registration will need to be obtained. A supervised internship is also often required for certification.
Location
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The level of demand for dieticians as well as the cost of living can greatly affect average salaries. For example, the District of Columbia has the highest concentration of practicing dieticians at 420. The average annually salary for these positions is $47,690. New York also has a high concentration of dieticians, but the average salary is $55,520 a year. The highest-paying state in the U.S. is Maryland, averaging $64,600 annually. The national average salary for dieticians is $50,150 a year, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Industry
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The type of industry being served will also have an influence on average dietician salaries. Those working in the special food services industry can expect a national average of $49,340 a year. The most common industry in which dieticians work is in general and surgical hospitals, with over 18,000 positions and an annual mean wage of $53,560. Working for the federal executive branch can bring in an average of $68,390 a year, and at the top of the spectrum are coveted positions in management, scientific, and technical consulting services, which provide an average of $75,100 a year.
Other Major Factors
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In the past, dietician work has been a female-dominated profession; women held 96 percent of all dietician positions in 2005. Female dieticians earn approximately 79 percent of the salary of men holding the same type of position. Dietician positions are also often one of the first to be discontinued at hospitals due to financial difficulties, causing dieticians to accept other positions at lower wages.
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References
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