Nutritionists educate patients and organizations about healthy eating habits to prevent illness and promote a healthy lifestyle. By using fact-based dietary advice, nutritionists help people live healthier lives with food education and behavior modification.
This guide will provide an overview of what a nutritionist is, what they do, salary outlook, how to become one, educational requirements, and everything else you wanted to know about becoming a nutritionist!
A nutritionist is a healthcare professional who educates people with fact-based food guidance to help them make better food choices and lead healthier lifestyles.
Nutritionists often take on a variety of tasks, including:
- Wellness coaching
- Sports nutrition
- Consulting with individuals or groups on weight loss and weight maintenance
- Creating nutrition plans and meal plans for organizations
Though becoming a nutritionist requires no official formal training, licensing, or certification, many still pursue a minimum of a bachelor’s nutrition degree and additional certifications.
Nutritionists work in many patient care environments, including:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Clinics
- Private practices
- Schools
- Food service areas
- Government agencies
- Health departments
- Sports organizations
- Research settings
Nutritionists can work with clients one-on-one or as a group. For example, nutritionists who work individually with clients may provide the appropriate dietary strategy to address a particular issue such as diabetes or gerontological nutrition.
However, many nutritionists work in a community setting, such as a school or corporation. In this setting, a nutritionist may create a “healthy food challenge” or set group health goals that encourage peer support.
Some nutritionists are entrepreneurs who work as consultants. In this situation, nutritionists may need to work evenings and weekends to meet with clients unavailable at other times.
A nutritionist’s main job is to promote healthy eating by educating and supporting their clients through various methods.
Daily responsibilities that a nutritionist may have include:
- Reviewing patient’s medical and physical history to identify nutritional and health needs
- Developing nutrition plans for individuals or large populations or groups
- Assessing the effectiveness of nutritional and behavioral modifications and making changes if needed
- Creating educational pamphlets or other materials about how food and health are related
- Educating individuals and large groups about the importance of healthy eating habits and overall well-being
- Conducting nutrition research
- Recording patient and group progress toward nutritional goals
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nutritionists and dieticians is $61,650 or $29.64 per hour. However, there is a wide range in income across the country, with the lowest ten percent of professionals earning less than $39,840 and the highest ten percent earning over $90,000.
The wide range is due to many factors, including education, years of experience, work environment, and geographic location.
Highest Paying States for Nutritionists
The five top-paying states for nutritionists, according to the BLS, are:
State |
Annual Mean Salary |
District of Columbia |
$83,550 |
Maine |
$82,480 |
California |
$80,160 |
New York |
$79,910 |
New Jersey |
$79,630 |
Nutritionist Salary by Place of Work
The BLS also states that the type of business a nutritionist works in also plays a significant role in the median annual salary they can earn.
Industry |
Annual Mean Salary |
Computer Systems Design and Related Services |
$83,510 |
Home Health Care Services |
$82,850 |
Scientific Research and Development Services |
$82,470 |
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods |
$81,180 |
Federal Executive Branch |
$81,120 |
Nutritionists who work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other organizations may also receive additional compensation in paid time off, sick leave, health insurance, tuition reimbursement, or other bonuses.
There are no formal education, licensure, or coursework regulations for clinical nutritionists in the U.S. Therefore, the path to career entry mainly depends on the individual candidate’s goals. Becoming a nutritionist can include one of the following pathways.
1. Nutrition Certification
There are many types of certification programs for aspiring nutritionists who do not want to obtain a formal education in nutrition science. You can educate yourself through in-person or online certification courses. The instruction can also be traditional or holistic and can take as little as two to four months to complete.
2. Nutritionist with a Bachelor’s Degree
Although not required, many nutritionists earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in some type of health science or related degree. Many nutritionists with a health science background also complete additional nutrition certification programs.
3. Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) with a Master’s or Doctoral Degree
Nutritionists who want to achieve an advanced level of knowledge and earn a recognized credential can become Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS).
Becoming a CNS requires earning either a master’s or doctoral degree, completing over 1,000 hours of supervised experience, and passing a credentialing exam administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists.
4. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Because of their similarity, the career pathways of a clinical dietician and nutritionist can be confusing. However, dieticians must obtain significantly more formal education and training and become licensed before practicing as an RDN.
Becoming an RDN is another pathway that nutritionists might consider, as it can offer more career and advancement opportunities. To become an RDN, candidates must earn a bachelor of science (BS) in dietetics or another food science field OR earn a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Public Health (MPH) in dietetics or other food science field.
For licensure eligibility as an RDN, make sure the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) has accredited your program.
The career outlook is bright for nutritionists due to increasing interest in preventive healthcare, the medical needs of an aging population, and a rise in adult and pediatric obesity.
Some of the most significant health concerns nutritionists can help with are diabetes and heart disease education and management. Since both conditions respond well to nutrition and eating behavior modifications, nutritionists will play an essential role in treatment planning.
The BLS anticipates a 7% increase in growth in the profession between 2021-2031 and the need for an additional 5,600 during that period.
Because nutritionists are not subject to national regulation in the same way that dietitians are, there are no specific educational, licensing, or continuing education requirements for an individual to practice.
However, for nutritionists who earn a CNS credential, recertification requires 75 continuing education credits every five years.
There are many online resources available for those interested in a career as a nutritionist, such as: