Dietitians

Salaries vary by practice area, years of experience, educational level, and location. In general, administrative, self-employed, and business dietitians earn more than their clinical and community counterparts.

The median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists was $69,680 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $44,910; the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $98,830 a year. Fifty percent of dietitians and nutritionists earned between $58,290 and $81,860. Mean annual earnings for dietitians and nutritionists by employer were:

• outpatient care centers: $80,190
• general medical and surgical hospitals: $73,670
• special food services: $68,440
• nursing care facilities: $67,820
• offices of other health practitioners: $67,080

In addition to salary, most employers also offer benefits packages including health and life insurance, paid vacations and holidays, and a pension or profit-sharing plan. Naturally, dietitians who run their own businesses must make their own arrangements in these areas.