Dietitians

Registered dietitians (RDs) are professionals who have met certain educational requirements and passed a national certification exam. For the purposes of this article, the terms dietitian and registered dietitian will be used interchangeably. RDs provide people with foods and dietary advice that will improve or maintain their health. They may be self-employed or work for institutions, such as hospitals, schools, restaurants, and nursing homes—any place where food is served or nutritional counseling is required. Hospital dietitians, for example, may ensure that the food served in the cafeteria is nourishing or create special diets for patients with particular nutritional problems and needs. There are approximately 81,300 dietitians and nutritionists working in the United States.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

Required

Outlook

Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Helpful

Problem-Solving

Scientific

Career Ladder

Department Manager or Professor

Dietitian

Intern or Assistant