The average Registered Dietitian Salary or Nutritionist Salary is calculated by the US Government Bureau of Labor Statistics from a variety of sources. Dietitian or Nutritionists work in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics and schools. A Dietitian or Nutritionist salary will vary depending on the location and the setting. The assumption was made that the Dietitian or Nutritionist s reflected here were working an average of 40 hours per week with a total of 2080 hours per year. It may be assumed that a registered dietitian salary will be slightly higher than a non-registered dietitian.
Median Hourly & Annual Data
Hourly
Dietitian Salary or Nutritionist median salary is $26.66 per hour. The lowest 10% earn less than $17 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $36 per hour.
Annually
On an annual basis the median Dietitian Salary or Nutritionist salary is $55,460. The lowest 10% earn a salary of $34,300 per year while the upper 10% earn more than $76,000 per year. These salaries are calculated as a mean or average.
Lowest and Highest Dietitian or Nutritionist Salary
The lowest paid Dietitian or Nutritionists earn less with mean or average wages below $16.00 per hour. Presumably this is offset by costs of living and other factors. The lower pay levels are associated with rural areas and schools. The highest pay levels are found in major population areas where the mean or average wage is over $36 per hour. Demand and low supply seem to be a significant factor in fueling higher salaries.
Top 5 States
The top paying states to earn a Dietitian or Nutritionist salary are Maryland, Nevada, California, Hawaii, and Alaska. Salaries range from $77,400 to $62,300.
Metropolitan Areas
The best city or metropolitan areas to earn an Dietitian or Nutritionist salary are Bethesda-Rockville MD, Santa Barbara CA, San Jose CA, and Las Vegas NV. Salaries range from $94,600 to $77,220.
Private Practice vs. Employment
A number of nutritionists or dieticians work as consultants or in private practice. This gives the opportunity to earn commissions on products such as books and diet programs. It can be assumed that there are both intrinsic as well as financial incentives for being in private practice vs. employment.
Employment Data
According to the US Department of Labor nationally there are over 56,000 Dietitians or Nutritionists who earn a salary through being employed.
Where They Work
Of all the Dietitians or Nutritionists employed in the United States over 18,320 of them work in hospitals with an additional 9490 working in nursing care or outpatient care facilities. A number of these professionals work for home health care, other professionals and for federal and state government. The best paying industry is management, scientific, and technical consulting. A very small number (approximately 140) are listed as working for the insurance industry.
Benefits
Fringe benefits such as vacation, health insurance and retirement plans will vary depending on the work setting and size of the employer. Individuals in private practice will have similar benefits enjoyed by self-employed or sole proprietor businesses. A typical benefits package is worth over $20,000 per year.