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Job outlook for clinical dietitians in the United States
Clinical dietitian job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected clinical dietitian job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 5,100 new jobs for clinical dietitians are projected over the next decade.
Clinical dietitian salaries have increased 7% for clinical dietitians in the last 5 years.
There are over 29,427 clinical dietitians currently employed in the United States.
There are 57,500 active clinical dietitian job openings in the US.
The average clinical dietitian salary is $59,133.
Are clinical dietitian jobs in demand?
Clinical Dietitian job and salary trends over time
Clinical Dietitian jobs over time
Clinical Dietitian job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,427 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 29,268 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 29,859 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 28,536 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 27,790 | 0.01% |
Average clinical dietitian salary over time
Clinical Dietitian salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,133 | $28.43 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $57,427 | $27.61 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $56,584 | $27.20 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $55,684 | $26.77 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $55,225 | $26.55 | +1.7% |
Clinical Dietitian jobs by state
Most common states for clinical dietitians
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 189 | 27% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 207 | 15% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 120 | 14% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 142 | 13% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 97 | 13% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 809 | 11% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 450 | 11% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 114 | 11% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 68 | 11% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 573 | 10% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 372 | 10% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 299 | 10% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 283 | 10% |
| 14 | Delaware | 961,939 | 101 | 10% |
| 15 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,914 | 9% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 821 | 9% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 663 | 9% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 593 | 9% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 534 | 9% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 516 | 9% |
Most common cities for clinical dietitians
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto | 7 | 10% | $85,403 |
| 2 | Temple | 6 | 8% | $52,824 |
| 3 | Dubuque | 4 | 7% | $52,108 |
| 4 | Alexandria | 3 | 6% | $42,283 |
| 5 | Alameda | 4 | 5% | $85,523 |
| 6 | Santa Fe | 4 | 5% | $51,519 |
| 7 | Albany | 3 | 4% | $48,058 |
| 8 | Deerfield Beach | 3 | 4% | $51,559 |
| 9 | Killeen | 4 | 3% | $52,954 |
| 10 | Little Rock | 3 | 2% | $50,010 |
| 11 | Detroit | 8 | 1% | $57,375 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 5 | 1% | $56,894 |
| 13 | Long Beach | 4 | 1% | $77,351 |
| 14 | New Orleans | 4 | 1% | $42,095 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $48,749 |
| 16 | Oxnard | 3 | 1% | $78,597 |
| 17 | Chicago | 5 | 0% | $65,409 |
| 18 | Houston | 5 | 0% | $52,690 |
| 19 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $77,778 |
| 20 | San Diego | 4 | 0% | $75,644 |
Clinical Dietitian job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of clinical dietitian experts
University of Northern Colorado
University of Rhode Island
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Michigan State University
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Dietitian?
Dr. Stephanie Fanelli PhD, RDN: As of early 2024, a graduate degree is now an entry-level requirement for registered dietitians. This means that all future dietitians will have at least a master's degree, inherently increasing the baseline expertise of entry-level dietitians in the United States. Dietitians with a graduate degree should advocate for a higher salary compensatory with this additional education. Many graduate programs prepare students to become experts in research and clinical practice, which further strengthens dietitians' contributions to a huge variety of work settings and organizations. Compensation and professional reward may also come in other forms than just salary. For instance, many organizations may pay for preexisting dietitians without a graduate degree to go back to school to earn a master's degree. This investment in dietitians not only helps to bolster the strength of the organization itself, but it also prepares its dietitians to excel in the field, assume leadership roles, and maximize their salary potential. The healthcare landscape in the United States is evolving to adopt the value-based healthcare model in which cost-effective services are rewarded as opposed to less effective yet costly clinical interventions. Medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education delivered by registered dietitians has proven to be clinically effective and cost-efficient time and time again, and emphasis on disease prevention and lifestyle change is becoming more apparent. Clinical dietitians should monitor their impact on patient outcomes, which may save healthcare organizations, insurance agencies, and individual patients a considerable amount of money over time. By quantifying their clinical and economic effect, dietitians can advocate for their direct contributions to their company and negotiate their compensation. Dietitians may consider collaborating with faculty and researchers at universities to better evaluate their effectiveness.
What Clinical Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephanie Fanelli PhD, RDN: The field of nutrition and dietetics is so broad, with roles for dietitians in a vast array of industries, clinical and non-clinical settings, and non-profit and government avenues, among many others. Nutrition and dietetics professionals should be open to trying out new roles in a variety of different work settings to explore their own interests and strengths. Ask questions, learn from your peers and colleagues, and speak up when you have an idea or disagree with current practices; As a recent graduate beginning your career, you may not have as much practical experience as your colleagues, but you may be more familiar with the most up-to-date evidence-based practices and recommendations. Become involved in various levels of the field ranging from local or organizational to regional, national, and even international levels, such as membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Society for Nutrition, or the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Over time, your involvement in the field will morph into meaningful professional relationships and career opportunities. Develop an approach for staying up-to-date on the latest evidence and recommendations in nutrition and dietetics. The field is evidence-based, meaning that clinical guidelines or practice recommendations are always evolving to reflect most recent research. Identify key resources for finding updated information and staying in-the-know with nutrition research.
What will help Clinical Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Fanelli PhD, RDN: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the use of telehealth, and the role of telenutrition will continue to expand over the next 3 to 5 years. Telenutrition is the virtual delivery of evidence-based nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian, and can make dietitians more accessible to many people across the United States. Dietitians and nutrition experts will need to master these virtual skills so that they can deliver high-quality nutrition counseling sessions that are traditionally done in-person. Nutrition misinformation is rapidly being spread across social media platforms. Many social media influencers cherry-pick nutrition research studies and inaccurately interpret their findings, which ultimately threatens the safety and wellbeing of millions of social media users. Nutrition and dietetics professionals should learn how to accurately and rigorously evaluate and critically appraise nutrition research so that they can correct this nutrition misinformation and serve as a reputable source of evidence-based information. Graduate school prepares nutrition and dietetics students to be able to critically appraise nutrition research, and hopefully the new entry-level graduate degree requirement for dietitians will lead to greater scientific accuracy and less nutrition misinformation being spread across social media channels.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Dietitian?
Sarah Larson MS, RD, LDN: There are many, many career paths for Registered Dietitians, so each day will vary depending on the position. For example, an RD in a clinical setting (such as a hospital) may start their day by checking in on patient charts, attending multidisciplinary rounds, then developing nutrition care plans and deliver nutrition education to patients, provide recommendations for nutrition plans to the care team, and end the day with charting on their patients. An outpatient RD could see 2-10 patients in a day and their diagnoses can vary from high cholesterol to irritable bowel syndrome to food allergies and everything in between.
What Clinical Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah Larson MS, RD, LDN: People have never been more interested in food and wellness than they are now. There is an increasing need for nutrition professionals that are providing evidence-based information for optimal health. There is a lot of nutrition misinformation and RDs can work with patients/clients to debunk fallacies and customize advice to each person.
What will help Clinical Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Sarah Larson MS, RD, LDN: I can't speak for all RDs, but generally, we love to talk about food in any situation. Being an RD is a flexible career path - there is so much that can be done with the credential that many build their own 'dream jobs' from several experiences and opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Dietitian?
Pinkin Panchal MS, RDN: Due to the high demand for RDNs in various settings and the recent advanced education requirements, new practitioners can remain competitive through salary negotiation and sign on bonuses for entry level positions. As you become an experienced practitioner, acquiring advanced level certifications through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) in focus practice area will enhance expertise as well as obtaining leadership positions in the field.
What Clinical Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Pinkin Panchal MS, RDN: Analytical skills and critical thinking are key to being an effective registered dietitian! As the food and nutrition expert, the registered dietitian must possess strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to implement evidence-based practice. Dietitians must also exhibit interpersonal communication skills as they are commonly interacting with different audiences.
What will help Clinical Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Pinkin Panchal MS, RDN: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) jobs are in high demand due to the current health crisis as more patients are facing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for registered dietitians and nutritionists will increase by 11% between 2018 and 2028. There are numerous opportunities for registered dietitians to provide medical nutrition therapy within different settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, higher education, and school nutrition as well as state and federal government related positions. As the program director responsible for the education of entry level RDNs, I encourage my graduates to pursue opportunities that they are passionate about as they begin their professional careers. There are so many diverse roles and positions within the field of food and nutrition that an RDN is well equipped for!
What will help Clinical Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Jill DeJager MPH, RDN: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in dietetics, it is important to be familiar with salaries in the area and have realistic expectations for negotiation during the hiring process. Taking advantage of retirement contributions and continuing education funds for conferences and seminars can also help. Additionally, standing out as a reliable and positive team member, expanding skill sets through volunteering for public speaking or new projects, and demonstrating leadership skills can contribute to maximizing salary potential.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Dietitian?
Dinah Dalder: Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills will continue to be important. RDNs will need to continue to be self-motivated and adaptable as new information and technologies are always expected in the food and nutrition field.
Samantha Coogan
Director, Didactic Program in Nutrition & Dietetics / Lecturer, Undergraduate Coordinator, Nutrition SciencesUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
School of Integrated Health Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Dietitian?
Samantha Coogan: - Holding leadership roles can be a potential negotiation tool as it shows a willingness to grow and be goal-oriented. Don't be afraid to negotiate and advocate for yourself, even early on. Recognize your worth and time commitment to your education. Working with a recruiter/career coach or a colleague in the field can help practice negotiation skills.
What Clinical Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Samantha Coogan: - Emotional intelligence, Critical thinking, Empathy, Ability to use/adapt to technology. These skills are important now and will continue to be in the future. Professionals need to decipher fact from fiction and navigate new technologies like AI and telehealth.
What will help Clinical Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Samantha Coogan: - Get involved in professional organizations, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, but even more so in your local state affiliate. For example, I live in Nevada, so I'm part of the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NvAND). Not only are they great for networking and job opportunities, but also for leadership roles. Seeing newer professionals getting involved in leadership roles is a standout on a resume, and helps employers recognize your dedication to advancing the profession. It might also help with future promotions down the line, and will really help you improve your emotional intelligence/ability to work under pressure.
- Be open to feedback/constructive criticism, and learn to take that feedback with grace. When done properly, constructive criticism can help you evolve as a professional. Adding to that, the ability to self-reflect/evaluate to make improvements.