Careers in Dietetics

A Registered Dietician (RD) is the most widely recognized nutrition professional. Although it is possible to specialize in nutrition without being an RD, many nutrition-related jobs require the RD credential because it signifies professional competence. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) is the professional association that establishes the criteria for becoming registered and administers the process.
RD's work in:

Hospitals, HMOs, or other health care facilities educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team. They may also manage the foodservice operations in these settings, as well as in schools, day-care centers, and correctional facilities, overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff.
Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs educating clients about the connection between food, fitness, and health.
Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries working in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development.
Private practice working under contract with health care or food companies, or in their own business. RD's may provide services to foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors, and distributors, or athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees.
Community and public health settings teaching, monitoring, and advising the public, and helping to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits.
Universities and medical centers teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students, and others the sophisticated science of foods and nutrition.
Research areas in food and pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals, directing or conducting experiments to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.

Many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners in addition to RD credentialing. These state requirements are frequently met through the same education and training that leads to the RD. Some RD's hold additional certificates in specialized areas of practice such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, or diabetes education. These certificates, awarded through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for ADA, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations, are recognized in the profession but are not required.

Salaries and Job Outlook

According to the ADA's 2002 Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Survey, half of all RD's in the U.S. who have been working in the field for 4 years or less earn between $33,000-$42,000 per year. As with any profession, salaries and fees vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility, and supply of RD's. Salaries increase with years of experience and many RD's, particularly those in private practice, business, and consulting earn incomes above $50,000.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005 because of increased emphasis on disease prevention, a growing and aging population, and public interest in nutrition. Employment in hospitals is expected to show little change because of anticipated slow growth and reduced patients' lengths of hospital stay. Faster growth, however, is anticipated in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and physician clinics.

Need More Information?

ADA's Web site includes additional information about careers in Dietetics. Access this information directly at: www.eatright.org/careers.html.