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Job outlook for nutritionists in the United States
Nutritionist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected nutritionist job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 5,100 new jobs for nutritionists are projected over the next decade.
Nutritionist salaries have increased 7% for nutritionists in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,401 nutritionists currently employed in the United States.
There are 698 active nutritionist job openings in the US.
The average nutritionist salary is $49,877.
Are nutritionist jobs in demand?
Nutritionist job and salary trends over time
Nutritionist jobs over time
Nutritionist job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,401 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,356 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 8,525 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,147 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,934 | 0.00% |
Average nutritionist salary over time
Nutritionist salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $49,877 | $23.98 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $48,439 | $23.29 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $47,727 | $22.95 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $46,968 | $22.58 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | $46,581 | $22.39 | +1.7% |
Nutritionist jobs by state
Most common states for nutritionists
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 239 | 4% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 48 | 4% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 185 | 3% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 88 | 3% |
| 5 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 88 | 3% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 35 | 3% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 27 | 3% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 20 | 3% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 319 | 2% |
| 10 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 226 | 2% |
| 11 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 165 | 2% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 141 | 2% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 118 | 2% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 99 | 2% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 36 | 2% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 28 | 2% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 23 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 21 | 2% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 13 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 12 | 2% |
Most common cities for nutritionists
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich | 1 | 3% | $59,226 |
| 2 | Brockton | 2 | 2% | $62,432 |
| 3 | Council Bluffs | 1 | 2% | $50,351 |
| 4 | Pine Bluff | 1 | 2% | $42,121 |
| 5 | Lafayette | 1 | 1% | $47,123 |
| 6 | Lawrence | 1 | 1% | $61,865 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $42,511 |
| 8 | Merced | 1 | 1% | $67,889 |
| 9 | Somerville | 1 | 1% | $62,188 |
| 10 | Vista | 1 | 1% | $63,709 |
| 11 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $62,204 |
| 12 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $46,378 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $65,017 |
| 14 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $41,839 |
| 15 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $63,394 |
| 16 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $51,420 |
Nutritionist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of nutritionist experts
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of New Mexico
University of Illinois at Chicago
Texas Christian University
Seattle Pacific University
Bowling Green State University
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bakersfield College
California State University - Los Angeles
University of Massachusetts Lowell
New York University
Middle Tennessee State University
University of California, Davis
University of North Florida
Baylor University
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Dr. Kerry Smith: The field of Nutrition Science has the potential to be quite lucrative. Those with a degree in Nutrition Science can additionally move into Dietetics and become a Registered Dietician or Registered Sports Dietician. The Sport careers are becoming more robust in the college setting following the NCAA changes regarding to fueling stations a little over a decade ago. Additionally, working in private practice providing nutritional services allows for job flexibility and autonomy. By working in a private practice there are opportunities to offer additional services that are unavailable through standard insurance coverages making your business more marketable and profitable.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kerry Smith: I think having a foundational knowledge of nutrition is imperative in the field. It might sound simple, but it’s no different than physical therapy. In physical therapy, you need to have the foundational knowledge of anatomy in order to progress to other areas. Understanding the foundational ideas in nutrition are imperative and fundamental. From there, staying up to date with the trends in the industry. Currently, we are seeing a rise in weight loss drugs among Americans over the last few years. Additionally, the field is dynamic with constant new quick-fix concepts on how to lose weight or diet. Being able to counsel clientele on the benefits and risks of a constant-evolving field is imperative to being successful. Finally, understanding the emotional and physiological stress food can have on people. Simply counseling a client on solely food and not discussing the emotional connection or addictive tendencies is a disservice to the client and the industry. Clinicians should be constantly looking for ways to strengthen these areas to better serve their clientele and become better informed.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kerry Smith: The world of nutritional science is constantly evolving. Last month was keto diets, then it was intermittent fasting, and now it’s weight loss drugs. It is imperative to stay up to date in the industry by consuming scholarly research and continuing educational endeavors. The field of nutrition is built upon trust and understanding of current trends and general nutrition. Establishing clear understanding in these areas establishes confidence in your intellect and your ability to counsel. I would also advise new graduates to take any opportunities that are presented. When graduating, so many students think with tunnel vision and believe one way is the only route they want to travel. Be open to new opportunities, whether it be in work environments (hospital v. school settings) or demographics (adolescents v. athletes), it will only make you a stronger clinician. This was the best advice I personally ever received and am so grateful to have been given those words since they led me to where I am today.
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Shayna Oshita PhD RD LDN CDCES: More emphasis on soft skills and specialty areas of dietetics such as nutrigenomics, and functional nutrition is likely to occur. Chronic disease management will continue to be needed.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shayna Oshita PhD RD LDN CDCES: We encourage them to be open minded and try different experiences. We remind them of the connections they have made so far and how to foster them to help their future goals.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Shayna Oshita PhD RD LDN CDCES: We have a salary negotiation seminar that discussed the importance of doing a proper assessment of themselves, how to research salary ranges, and how to negotiate for what they want/deserve.
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Peter Pribis DrPH, MD, RDN, FAND: First of all, it is now required that dietitians have a master's degree, meaning that if you would like to work in a hospital setting and you only have a bachelor's degree, your chances of getting employment are smaller. Secondly, there are a lot of possibilities provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for continuing education, so you can, for example, become certified as a Diabetes Educator or a Weight Management Educator and so on. Use all these opportunities. The more education you have, the better you can take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Pribis DrPH, MD, RDN, FAND: There is presently a great need for dietitians. It is probably a combination of two things: people retire, and in the last few years, we have seen falling numbers of students interested in studying nutrition and dietetics. Because of this, presently, I am receiving a lot of emails with offers from universities, hospitals, and food service companies, who are looking for dietitians. Being a dietitian is a very versatile job. You can work in clinical nutrition, meaning that you can work in a hospital with people who have diabetes, weight management issues, and eating disorders. You can work in critical care, pediatrics, and long-term care. You can also work in outpatient clinics, rehabilitation, and food management as director of food and nutrition services. You can work as a community and public health nutritionist. For example, you can work as a coordinator for nutrition health programs, as a health nutritionist, or as a nutritionist you can work for nonprofit organizations. You can also work in education and research, and lastly, you can work as a consultant for food and nutrition companies. You can work as a journal editor. You can work as a spokesman for a food company. You can be a sports nutritionist, and I don’t think that I have listed all the possibilities of how you can actually use your dietetics education. Dietetics is a profoundly rewarding profession as it allows you to make a tangible difference in people's lives. The satisfaction of seeing your efforts translate into positive health outcomes for your clients is unparalleled.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Peter Pribis DrPH, MD, RDN, FAND: I think the greatest skill that will become increasingly important is flexibility. Be prepared to work face-to-face and online via Zoom. Be innovative and creative. Be aware of our fast-changing world and be ready to apply your knowledge and education in every possible way.
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Maureen McCoy MS RD: Be open to all the possibilities that exist in the world of food and nutrition! The great thing about this field is that there are opportunities in many different areas that you may not have considered before.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maureen McCoy MS RD: Don’t be afraid to negotiate! Often when we start our careers we are just happy to get a job offer, but know that you are valuable and you can ask for more. Do your research on the job market and see what average salaries are in that particular position. Consider the education and experiences that you have had that could increase that base salary offer.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Maureen McCoy MS RD: An understanding of how climate change is affecting the food that people eat will be valuable in the future. Help consumers modify their diets to minimize their carbon footprint. Creative solutions to change the trajectory of chronic disease – we have tried to change how people eat and that hasn’t always worked – how can we nudge consumers in the direction of better health? Need an understanding of the technology that is now available to us and how we can harness its power for improved health outcomes.
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Kirsten Straughan MS, RD, CSSD: Communication and collaboration skills are critical. All nutrition students have similar content due to our accreditation, but being able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and collaborate with other disciplines will allow you to be much more impactful in your job. The future of nutrition is also very exciting, and I see areas of growth in applying knowledge about the microbiome and in the area of nutrigenetics.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kirsten Straughan MS, RD, CSSD: If your internship doesn’t include a seminar on salary negotiations, seek out resources to empower you with the skills to negotiate your first position. Don’t lose sight of the extensive education and training that you have had.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Kirsten Straughan MS, RD, CSSD: Take advantage of the dietetic internship rotations to explore different areas of dietetics. Remember that you are essentially on a very long job interview…many of our graduates are hired out of their internships.
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN
Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN: Remain open minded and don't be afraid to try new roles and tasks. Sometimes the area of nutrition you think you will like the least is what you end up loving!
Also, be on time, follow through with what you say you will do and be positive!
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN: Be willing to say yes and try something new. It may seem challenging or out of your comfort zone but until you try you don't know if it is the right position for you.
Negotiate your salary based on your prior experiences. Your experiences may be in a different area but show how the skills you learned can be transferable to your nutrition career/ position. Sell yourself but being enthusiast and willing to go above and beyond to meet the companies' goals and mission.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN: Tech savvy! We have more nutrition professionals working in telehealth and in remote positions.
Critical thinking- my students hear me discuss the importance of critical thinking almost every day. We talk about personalizing/ individualizing diets and wellness plans to fit the person.
Communication skills- this never goes out of date! Communicate often, be clear, and follow up with your communication.
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD
Assistant Professor of Practice, Didactic Program DirectorWhat general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Use the knowledge and skills learned in undergraduate school/experience and be flexible when searching for jobs. For example, be willing to relocate if able if there isn’t a job in your area. Don’t just use salary for your final decision in accepting a job. You need to look at benefits packages such as 401K, insurance coverage and cost, matched savings option, vacation time/paid-time off/holidays when making your decision about job placement.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Critical thinking skills are very important in this field as well as culinary medicine, integrative nutrition and how to teach people realistic skills in improving their health and making sure to consider person’s culture when giving dietary recommendations. Knowledge and experience in food insecurity and food sustainability issues and how it impacts your local community. Marketing skills and experience in current technology platforms used to promote various nutrition topics as well consulting business, when applicable.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Be sure to highlight other skills/experience/volunteer work related to nutrition field, such as positions held in student and/or professional nutrition organizations. Explaining what the job responsibilities were and valuing your worth, but understand you still need to gain experience before reaching maximum salary allowance for the job position. If you weren’t a member of professional organization, become one and volunteer in your community in positions related to nutrition such as local food bank or other health-related organizations. Continued education in nutrition related topics, which is already an RD requirement, can also help highlight your knowledge for salary potential. Also, any unique skills such as expert in certain social media platforms or other experience not all dietitians have such as IT.
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD
Department Chair, Associate ProfessorTexas Christian University
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD: Communication skills have always been important and will continue to be important. It is necessary that we are able to communicate with individuals of various ages, cultures, ethnicities and work to provide all of our patients or clients with the best care and product. I am not sure how AI will influence dietetics and healthcare, but I imagine that we will see changes in all professions as AI continues to grow. It is important that nutrition professionals are a ready sources of science-backed and evidence based information that the public is able to count on, so knowing how to access that information, decipher it and communicate it to the public accurately and in a way that is helpful will continue to be paramount.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD: I have a few pieces of general advice for a new graduate. Be open to possibilities. If you have the opportunity to take on additional roles or projects in your job or in volunteer areas, don't let fear of failure cause you to say no. The connections that you make and the knowledge and experiences that are gained from doing new and different things can result in enormous opportunities down the road that you can't possibly foresee. In addition, consider what your long term goals are and start seeking out education and opportunities to learn in those areas. For example, a new graduate may be interested in an area that they don't have the opportunity to work with in the current job, but may be able to learn more about through volunteering in the community or seeking out independent study that can help prepare them to step up when the opportunities do present themselves. Make sure that you do your best each day at your job so that your colleagues know that you are trustworthy, knowledgeable, have integrity and a good work ethic. Lastly, it can be easy for new graduates to feel intimidated, but your education and experiences have prepared you. Introduce yourself to others that you work with, even if it makes you nervous and be the kind of co-worker that you'd like to work with. Show initiative in your work and volunteer endeavors.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD: I would recommend to negotiate starting salary. Individuals can research to determine what the starting salaries are in the work sites and locations they are applying and make sure that they are advocating for a good starting salary, while also being realistic. Learn if there are opportunities to earn additional money by earning additional certifications and work towards those.
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz
Didactic Program in Dietetics, DirectorSeattle Pacific University
Foods, Nutrition, And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz: Nutrition knowledge and care is ever evolving! Keeping on top of new evidence-based practices is incredibly important to stay relevant. Additionally, expanding your technology skills will help better promote you, the profession, and reach out to new audiences.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz: Nutrition knowledge and care is ever evolving! Keeping on top of new evidence-based practices is incredibly important to stay relevant. Additionally, expanding your technology skills will help better promote you, the profession, and reach out to new audiences.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz: We are in an exciting time in Food and Nutrition as more opportunities will become available than ever before. Be open to exploring various niches in the profession as you never know where that can lead you.
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Nadine Mikati PhD, RDN, LDN: Seeking opportunities in the field through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions to start. This will help build a strong track record of success and demonstrate proficiency in the field that can position a person to advance and receive higher-paying opportunities in the future. Also, consider pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training to enhance one's qualifications and increase earning potential.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nadine Mikati PhD, RDN, LDN: Effective communication is key when working with clients, patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. Employers seek a well-rounded professional. With the growing use of technology in healthcare, digital literacy will be essential. Dietitians will need to be proficient in using various software platforms to deliver virtual care, track patient progress, and communicate effectively with clients. Hands-on clinical skills will also become more important and prevalent for dietitians in the future. Other essential skills include adaptability to various environments, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Nadine Mikati PhD, RDN, LDN: Be open to trying new things, exploring various aspects of the profession and networking. Often times students have their mind set on one thing and might lose out on potential opportunities. Also, education doesn't stop at graduation. Each dietitian should work on finding their niche in order to set themselves apart from everyone else. Gain as much experience as possible. Seek a mentor that can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights based on their own experiences in the field.
Dr. Carrie Hamady
Chair, Department of Public and Allied Health and Distinguished Teaching ProfessorBowling Green State University
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What general advice would you give to a Nutritionist?
Dr. Carrie Hamady: A credentialed registered dietitian nutritionist, or RDN, has many opportunities for gainful employment. Most RDNs work in a clinical, community, or business and industry setting. They work with individuals, families, and communities to improve nutritional status, access to food, or relationship with food through education, counseling, and/or research. RDNs empower people through food and lifestyle to maintain and improve their health or manage their diagnoses while providing individualized care that accounts for each person's dietary patterns, cultural or religious preferences, and food access and affordability.
What Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Carrie Hamady: There are many opportunities for registered dietitian nutritionists outside of traditional settings, including in supermarkets, telehealth, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness. As an in-demand career, the employment outlook for RDNs is good and growing at a faster-than-average rate compared to other occupations. With a growing interest in and emphasis on health in America, many clients are eager for expert insight and guidance on how they can improve their nutritional status.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Carrie Hamady: Most people enjoy being registered dietitian nutritionists because helping others become the best version of themselves through education and lifestyle change is very rewarding. In clinical settings, RDNs play an important role in helping patients heal through proper nutrition or other lifestyle changes and improvements. One challenge RDNs face is the ability to properly serve all patients or clients due to insurance or access needs. The profession is adapting to reduce costs and improve access for patients and clients.
Samantha Coogan
Director, Didactic Program in Nutrition & Dietetics / Lecturer, Undergraduate Coordinator, Nutrition SciencesUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
School of Integrated Health Sciences
What skills stand out on Nutritionist resumes?
Samantha Coogan: Leadership positions can showcase initiative, follow-through, ability to work with others, and growth potential.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Nutritionists?
Samantha Coogan: Definitely presentation, teaching & counseling skills, and they can often be one and the same. Whether it's a group or one-on-one presentation, presenting is presenting, so even in a counseling session, we are presenting what we know and then teaching them how to implement those changes or goals or fill-in-the-blank.
What soft skills should all Nutritionists possess?
Samantha Coogan: Coachability, approachability, ability to build & maintain rapport, empathy, compassion/understanding, and positive reinforcement can enforce hard truths.
What skills will help Nutritionists earn the most?
Samantha Coogan: Most recently, due to the pandemic and drastic shift to online everything, being fluent and proficient in digital marketing, online learning or service learning platforms, facilitating online meetings/conferences, and working with groups from various areas remotely. Many more practitioners need virtual assistants due to the rising popularity of the online environment, so getting familiar with all of the new technology features & trends really seems to be the future of this and many other professions. And it's exciting because this does allow us to reach a greater number of people and solve more of our patients' & clients' pain points.
Mariafelix Gonzalez
ProfessorBakersfield College
Nutrition department
What skills stand out on Nutritionist resumes?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: I am not sure about Nutritionists, but I find that interpersonal skills and initiative are valued greatly on Dietitian's resumes.
What soft skills should all Nutritionists possess?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: I must say that it goes back to the two skills I mentioned above.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Nutritionists?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: Strong knowledge of math and writing skills are most important.
What skills will help Nutritionists earn the most?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: Communication and negotiating skills.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Nutritionists?
Dr. Robbi Beyer: That is a tough question, as it is impossible to determine the individual effect of learning remotely over a year, unless of course a student has reached out for University financial support. Otherwise, there is no way to ascertain the factors that have impacted a student and their life during the pandemic. However, as a department, we have seen little difference during the last year in the progress and success of our candidates going forward to complete their degrees and become physical educators. Although it has not been ideal for them to receive instruction remotely, all faculty have been trained by the Center of Effective Learning (CETL) on campus to deliver content asynchronously and incorporate meaningful application activities to ensure our candidates meet their learning outcomes. We feel confident that they are prepared and at least educationally and professionally will not experience an enduring effect from the Coronavirus.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Nutritionists?
Dr. Robbi Beyer: In California as in many other states, if you want to be a physical education teacher you will complete an undergraduate degree, typically a Bachelor of Science, and then a single subject, K-12 teaching credential. To increase job prospects, we provide and encourage candidates to have many sequential field-based and practicum opportunities in the public-school environment during their undergraduate studies. We also are one of the only Cal State Universities that provides an inclusive PETE curriculum preparing candidates to teach physical education to all students with and without disabilities. Because of the national focus towards full inclusion, our program not only prepares our candidates as strong general physical educators but affords them an opportunity to also specialize in Adapted Physical Education and obtain an Added Authorization (APEAA). If candidates do have an interest in teaching special populations this significantly changes their prospects of securing a job as an adapted physical educator.
What will help Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robbi Beyer: To move up the salary scale as a teacher you need to continue your education and increase your years of experience. Typically, teachers will pursue an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree (MS) to move up the pay scale and increase their professional knowledge, but it is not a requirement in California. Additionally, teachers who successfully obtain an MS can also pursue employment at a Community College as adjunct faculty or lecturer; however, these types of employment tend to be less permanent than the K-12 public school contract.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Nutritionists?
Jennifer Nicoloro Ph.D.: A degree in Medical Laboratory Science requires a minimum of 4 years of college. The most direct route to an MLS career is through a NAACLS accredited program. While the organization of each MLS program varies, all students undergo rigorous schooling and technical training.
Many MLS programs combine on-campus coursework with off-campus clinical experiences. Degree coursework provides foundational knowledge in normal and abnormal human physiology, major laboratory disciplines, and discipline-specific laboratory techniques. Clinical practicums provide real-world hands-on training on how to safely and accurately perform highly complex laboratory tests utilizing sophisticated methodology and instrumentation alongside certified professionals.
A majority of MLS have a certification and/or license to practice in the clinical laboratory setting. Certifications are offered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) with licensure depended on state practicing requirements. Certification and/or licensure if required by most clinical laboratories. The certification provides optimum salary and opportunities for career advancement.
What's a good job out of college for Nutritionists?
Joyce O'Connor: As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Overall employment of health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will be driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs by teaching people healthy behaviors and explaining how to use available healthcare services."
MPH PHN graduates who also have an emphasis in Nutrition will find employment in public health government agencies as well as community non profits. Responsibilities will include a foundation in nutritional science, nutrition related chronic disease, and nutrition interventions along with core public health skills. of data analysis, program planning , behavioral change and social determinants of health.
There will also be opportunities in the private sector, for example, in the food industry, corporate wellness and technology.
What's a day at work look like for a Nutritionist?
Janet Colson Ph.D.: Our Nutrition and Food Science graduates work in two main categories-health care or food-related job. Prior to the pandemic, some nutrition counseling was often done virtually, but the pandemic changed it to all virtual. This initially forced many nutritionists and clients out of their comfort zones, but they now recognize the time saving benefits of the virtual world. They have become more tech-savvy and find they work more efficiently. I believe their days will continue to include remote work with occasional face-to-face meetings. In-patient nutrition services will gradually transition back to the traditional method.
Graduates who have jobs in the food industry have experienced similar changes with social distancing, masks, hand sanitizers, and more reliance on virtual meetings. Because we must all eat food to live, the job market has remained stable. Working with food often requires people to be in close proximity to others, violating the 6 feet social distancing rule. Most jobs in the food industry cannot be done remotely; therefore, I envision a day for work for them will include commuting to work and working close to others, with more awareness the importance of hand sanitizers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Nutritionist job market given the pandemic?
Joan Frank: Institutional Foodservice:
Institutional foodservice is alive and well despite the pandemic's hit on restaurants. Hospitals are full and Food and Nutrition Services need a variety of support staff. This is also true in long-term care (skilled nursing facilities).
National School Lunch Program:
Due to COVID-19 and the economy, over 90,000 school sites now offer free meals to all students. This would definitely affect the job market nation-wide in school foodservice.
Back story: the USDA approved schools offering the Summer Meal Program (free to all students) to continue to offer free meals for all students through 6/30/21. Usda
There is hope that with the new Biden Administration, there will be a push for the National School Lunch Program to continue to provide free school meals for all students beyond this academic year.
Public Health/Community Nutrition:
Because of the economy and high unemployment, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollments have increased as well as WIC (Women, Infants, Children program), and food bank and pantry participants.
SNAP and WIC are public health nutrition programs whereas food banks come under community nutrition.
SNAP-Ed hires nutrition grads and WIC hires Nutrition Assistants (HS or 2-year grads) and Degreed Nutritionists (Nutrition 4-year grads).
Health Coaching:
Telehealth has expanded greatly. Health Coaching is a trend and has gone remote. I recommend finding a few job listings and look at what the requirements are for health coaches. Nutrition grads have excellent training for coaching, especially if they've graduated from a Didactic Program in Dietetics, a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
What skills stand out on Nutritionist resumes?
Joan Frank: -Leadership and supervisory skills/experience are always important. Applicants don't necessarily have to have formal experience in these areas but informal leadership such as group work or leading a volunteer group or training others certainly count.
-Problem-solving skills. Evidence of how one solves problems.
-Flexibility (biggest skill we've all had to have this past year!)
-Can-do attitude; willing to do what it takes to get a job done.
-Self-confidence; even if you don't feel it, acting self-confident instills confidence in others as to your abilities.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Nutritionists to find work opportunities?
Joan Frank: It's really hard to say at this point as the job market is fairly stagnant. Large metropolitan areas typically have the most job opportunities. In our area, UC Davis is close to Sacramento; however, typically there are more food and nutrition-related jobs in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Connecting with larger employers and finding out where they have openings is a good start. Some of the larger foodservice contracting companies that hire nutrition grads: Sodexo, Morrison, Aramark, Chartwells, Bon Appetit. They all have recruiters.
Lauri Wright
Chair, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, UNFUniversity of North Florida
Nutrition and Dietetics
What type of skills will young Nutritionists need?
Lauri Wright: The skills most needed by dietitians entering the workforce include critical thinking, communication, ability to translate science to practice, relationship-based care, leadership, ability to work in a team, advocate for patients, and confidence.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Nutritionists to find work opportunities?
Lauri Wright: Dietitians can practice in a variety of settings and have excellent job opportunities. In fact, the profession has over a 97% employment rate. Some areas of the country that have high demand include states such as Florida and Arizona because of a growing retiree population, southern and northwestern states such a Georgia, North Carolina, and Montana because of fewer training programs and higher-paying states such as New York, Massachusetts, and DC.
How do you envision technology impacting Nutritionists in the next 5 years?
Lauri Wright: Graduates will need strong technical skills to compete in the evolving world of telehealth and telemedicine. A growing number of dietitians are providing nutrition counseling and nutrition education via virtual platforms. Even within hospitals, using technology to assess the patient is becoming increasingly important.
What type of skills will young Nutritionists need?
Stanley Wilfong: Critical thinking skills top the list. Apart from the rudiments of nutrition sciences (food science, pathophysiology, biochemistry, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition counseling, food service management), graduates will need to be able to use their education, logic, and perception to problem solve. They will also need to hone their time-managements skills. Employers are continuously pressured to improve their bottom lines. Invariably, this means that managers are asked (told) to be more productive with less resources. Various technologies have made this possible, but they only go so far. Graduates must be able to work efficiently and effectively. This also speaks to the need for students to be tech-savvy, knowing what technologies are available and how to use them. Strong communication skills and emotional intelligence are also vital!
What experience really stands out on Nutritionist resumes?
Stanley Wilfong: That really depends on what the students' goals are. I tell my students they need three things to get into a dietetic internship, graduate school, or a job - a strong GPA, leadership experience, and practical work experience. While students are undergraduates, they need to get involved in student activities and try to get positions of influence (president, vice president, etc.). The strongest resumes show offices or positions held in national or state student dietetic associations that are affiliated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Since our profession now requires a master's degree to be eligible to take the national registration exam, undergraduates should try to get experience in research. Finding a faculty mentor who is involved in an area of research that sparks their interest can help to facilitate that. Practical experience in food service or health care is beneficial as well. Other unique internship experiences can help their resumes stand out. I had a student who was selected as a NASA Nutritional Biochemistry intern - that really stood out!