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Nutritionist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$76,400median pay per year, or $36.73 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $49,090lowest 10% earn less
  2. $63,08025th percentile
  3. $76,400median
  4. $89,34075th percentile
  5. $103,720top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

BLS groups nutritionists with dietitians. This group had a median pay of $76,400 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.7%[2]
Openings per year
5,700[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do nutritionists make?

BLS counts nutritionists and dietitians together as Dietitians and Nutritionists. In May 2025, the median pay was $76,400 a year, or $36.73 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $77,130 a year, or $37.08 an hour[7].

For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[4].

Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $49,090 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $103,720[3]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile boundaries, and the median is the point that splits the highest-paid half from the lowest-paid half[8].

Level Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][9] $49,090 $23.60
25th percentile[3][9] $63,080 $30.33
Median[1] $76,400 $36.73
75th percentile[3][9] $89,340 $42.95
90th percentile[3][9] $103,720 $49.87

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 8.5% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median pay at $98,850 a year, and it also had the most jobs at 8,720[12]. West Virginia was next at $89,440, then Alaska at $87,980, New Jersey at $84,450 and Washington at $84,220[12].

The states with the most jobs were California (8,720), New York (5,330), Texas (5,320), Florida (4,370) and Pennsylvania (4,270)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top medians were in California[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara led at $122,910, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $117,380 and Vallejo at $111,430[14]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City (5,490 jobs, median $86,690) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (3,060 jobs, median $95,450)[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$98,8508,720
West Virginia$89,440520
Alaska$87,980130
New Jersey$84,4502,870
Washington$84,2201,450
Oregon$84,180700
New York$82,4805,330
District of Columbia$82,150270
Hawaii$81,920370
Connecticut$80,600860
Delaware$78,060290
Maryland$77,8001,430
Minnesota$77,5401,180
Vermont$77,450160
Virginia$77,3801,510
Massachusetts$76,6602,860
Florida$76,0504,370
Colorado$75,5101,640
Wisconsin$74,9301,330
New Mexico$74,730500
Texas$74,4405,320
Illinois$73,5202,840
Georgia$73,2002,020
Iowa$72,690630
New Hampshire$71,840440
Idaho$71,610420
Montana$71,580230
Rhode Island$71,300360
Louisiana$70,460800
Nebraska$70,160570
North Dakota$70,040270
South Carolina$69,970950
Oklahoma$69,5601,230
Ohio$69,5303,060
Kentucky$69,5201,040
Nevada$69,030560
Tennessee$67,6201,230
North Carolina$67,5602,780
Pennsylvania$67,4104,270
Michigan$66,8502,370
Kansas$66,830580
Indiana$66,4501,670
Alabama$66,190780
Arkansas$65,540650
Missouri$65,4501,700
Utah$65,3101,120
South Dakota$64,890210
Maine$64,610510
Arizona$64,4101,800
Wyoming$64,370120
Mississippi$63,700540

How to become a nutritionist

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry, with no work experience needed in a related job and an internship or residency as training[6]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook says a bachelor's or master's degree is typical, along with supervised training through an internship[16].

The RD/RDN designation requires at least a master's degree and a Dietetic Internship, which includes supervised experience[21]. The CNS credential requires a master's or doctoral degree, supervised experience and an exam[22]. Both credentials need continuing education to keep[21][22]. Many states accept the CNS credential or exam for licensure[22].

In an O*NET survey of 30 workers, 53% said a post-baccalaureate certificate was the education level required, 33% said a master's degree and 10% said a bachelor's degree[23]. This is a small survey, so it shows how these respondents answered and nothing more.

Workers may add specialty certifications in areas such as diabetes education, oncology nutrition or sports dietetics[24].

What nutritionists do

O*NET describes the job as planning and running food service or nutrition programs that support health and help control disease[25]. Some workers also supervise a food service department, counsel individuals or do nutrition research[25]. Common tasks include:

BLS lists analytical skills, compassion, listening skills and organizational skills as important qualities[27][28][29][30]. Workers in this group report job titles such as clinical dietitian, outpatient dietitian and oncology dietitian[31].

Where they work

Hospitals were the largest listed employer in 2025, at 27% of jobs[32]. Full-time work is the norm, and some workers take evening or weekend appointments with clients who cannot meet at other times[33].

Self-employed workers may also schedule appointments, manage employees and bill insurance companies[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of dietitians and nutritionists to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 86,300 to 93,000 jobs, a gain of 6,700[2]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[34]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 5,700 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that appear when workers retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 2.6% move to a different occupation[35].

The 77,570 jobs counted in the wage survey[36] and the 86,300 in the projections[2] measure different things. The wage survey counts wage and salary jobs only[36]. The projections include the self-employed[2].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job paying a median of $76,400 a year against $50,980 for all occupations[1][4]. Projected growth of 7.7% is above the 3.5% rate for all occupations[2][34]. Entry takes a degree and supervised training, and a master's degree is the minimum for the RD/RDN credential[6][21]. Rules differ by state, so checking your state's requirements matters[19]. The work centers on counseling and building nutrition plans, with an emphasis on listening and analysis[26][27][29].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a nutritionist make an hour?
The median was $36.73 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $37.08[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $23.60 and the 90th was $49.87[9].
What degree do you need to be a nutritionist?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook says a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition or a related field[6][17]. The RD/RDN designation requires at least a master's degree[21].
Is nutritionist a growing field?
BLS projects 7.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][34]. About 5,700 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for nutritionists?
California had the highest median at $98,850 a year in May 2025, followed by West Virginia at $89,440[12].
Do you need a license to be a nutritionist?
Many states require a license. Others require only registration or certification to use certain titles, and a few have no rules[19].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Dietitians and Nutritionists in the US was $76,400 per year and $36.73 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Dietitians and Nutritionists is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 86,300 to 93,000 jobs (a change of +6,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Dietitians and Nutritionists: 10th percentile $49,090, 25th percentile $63,080, 75th percentile $89,340, 90th percentile $103,720. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 5,700 openings for Dietitians and Nutritionists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Dietitians and Nutritionists: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Dietitians and Nutritionists was $77,130 per year and $37.08 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Dietitians and Nutritionists: 10th percentile $23.60, 25th percentile $30.33, 75th percentile $42.95, 90th percentile $49.87. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 8.5% of Dietitians and Nutritionists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Dietitians and Nutritionists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Dietitians and Nutritionists jobs: California 8,720; New York 5,330; Texas 5,320; Florida 4,370; Pennsylvania 4,270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Dietitians and Nutritionists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $122,910; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,380; Vallejo, CA $111,430; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $102,580; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $102,060; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $99,720; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $98,870; Modesto, CA $97,830. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Dietitians and Nutritionists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 5,490 (median $86,690); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,060 (median $95,450); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 2,150 (median $74,860); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,030 (median $73,560); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 2,000 (median $77,840); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,340 (median $77,180). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 29-1031.00 survey of workers (30 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 53%, Master's Degree 33%, Bachelor's Degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Dietitians and Nutritionists. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Dietitians and Nutritionists. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. O*NET 29-1031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Clinical Dietician, Clinical Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Oncology Dietitian, Outpatient Dietitian, Registered Dietician. O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of dietitians and nutritionists in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 27%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Dietitians and Nutritionists: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 77,570 people were employed as Dietitians and Nutritionists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.