Contents
Nutritionist Salary
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $16.59 | $21.25 | $26.56 | $32.47 | $37.30 |
| Annual Wage | $34,500 | $44,200 | $55,200 | $67,500 | $77,600 |
How much does a nutritionist make? A nutritionist or dietician is a professional who is trained to advise individualsabout food and nutrition due to health concerns. Many nutritionists assist patients who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or who are overweight and develop a diet plan for them so that patients can become healthier. They can also devise diet plans for individuals who simply want to eat healthier. In order to become a nutritionist, one must receive a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in dietics, food and nutrition, clinical nutrition or another related major. Some schools require an internship after graduation, and in most states, nutritionists must be licensed. Many nutritionists further their studies by pursuing graduate degrees in the subject.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012 the median salary for nutritionists was $55,240. The median salary is the amount that half of those employed as nutritionists make more than, and half of those in the field make less than. The lowest paid 10 percent of nutritionists made $34,500 or less, while the top 10 percent in the industry earned $77.590 or more.
Factors Impacting Salary
Various factors can affect the salary of a nutritionist. Although hospitals and nursing homes are the largest employers of nutritionists, they do not typically pay their nutritionists the highest salaries in the industry. Generally, nutritionists who are employed in consulting services and with the government command the highest salaries.
Geographical Location and Salary
In several states, nutritionists earn a higher salary than others. The top paying states for nutritionists are California, Nevada, Hawaii, Maryland, and Connecticut.
Work Environment and Schedule
Nutritionists generally work full time in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. These jobs typically require a nutritionist to work normal business hours. Some nutritionists are self employed, and therefore, may enjoy more flexibility when it comes to scheduling based on their own needs and the needs of their patients. However, those who are self employed often work evenings and weekends to accommodate patients.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for nutritionists is expected to grow at a rate faster than average from the years 2012 until 2022. The 21 percent growth in employment will be due to the public’s understanding of the importance of good nutrition and overall health. Additionally, more individuals with conditions such as obesity and diabetes will need the care of a professional who can assist them with dietary approaches to good health. All of these factors will require more nutritionists in the industry.
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Employment | % of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean salary |
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | 1,200 | 0.92 | $34.33 | $71,400 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 2,000 | 0.10 | $33.28 | $69,220 |
| Office Administrative Services | 50 | 0.01 | $31.83 | $66,210 |
| Insurance Carriers | 100 | 0.01 | $30.98 | $64,450 |
| Home Health Care Services | 1,100 | 0.09 | $30.65 | $63,740 |
Salary By State
| State | 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Jobs (2010) | Jobs (2020) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,100 | $39,700 | $47,000 | $57,800 | $67,600 | 830 | 1,030 | +24% |
| Alaska | $38,000 | $52,500 | $64,800 | $76,200 | $87,400 | 140 | 180 | +26% |
| Arizona | $27,400 | $39,000 | $51,300 | $60,600 | $72,000 | 1,070 | 1,330 | +24% |
| Arkansas | $32,800 | $40,300 | $47,000 | $59,100 | $71,300 | 520 | 550 | +8% |
| California | $48,600 | $58,800 | $68,900 | $79,400 | $92,200 | 7,000 | 8,400 | +20% |
| Colorado | $31,800 | $42,600 | $54,300 | $66,200 | $74,100 | 820 | 960 | +17% |
| Connecticut | $43,000 | $52,700 | $63,500 | $72,700 | $83,600 | 820 | 930 | +14% |
| Delaware | $40,700 | $50,600 | $61,000 | $70,000 | $75,400 | 160 | 190 | +20% |
| District of Columbia | $44,400 | $52,000 | $59,700 | $72,900 | $84,800 | 430 | 520 | +22% |
| Florida | $33,300 | $42,000 | $52,700 | $65,300 | $77,600 | 4,020 | 4,520 | +13% |
| Georgia | $33,500 | $40,500 | $49,400 | $62,800 | $74,600 | 1,920 | 2,300 | +20% |
| Hawaii | $50,300 | $58,100 | $66,000 | $72,600 | $77,800 | 280 | 320 | +17% |
| Idaho | $33,700 | $41,200 | $51,400 | $61,000 | $71,700 | 280 | 350 | +24% |
| Illinois | $25,900 | $38,400 | $51,500 | $61,400 | $72,100 | 2,340 | 2,560 | +9% |
| Iowa | $39,400 | $43,200 | $49,700 | $58,000 | $66,100 | 780 | 910 | +17% |
| Kansas | $37,000 | $44,300 | $52,100 | $58,900 | $68,600 | 490 | 580 | +19% |
| Kentucky | $36,800 | $42,100 | $48,200 | $57,800 | $68,400 | 1,100 | 1,300 | +18% |
| Louisiana | $30,600 | $39,800 | $48,800 | $61,200 | $73,600 | 1,010 | 1,220 | +21% |
| Maine | $35,800 | $44,000 | $54,000 | $62,500 | $72,300 | 320 | 380 | +19% |
| Maryland | $48,400 | $57,300 | $74,500 | $107,700 | $130,000 | 1,420 | 1,650 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $38,300 | $49,600 | $59,100 | $72,800 | $86,200 | 1,980 | 2,370 | +20% |
| Michigan | $38,100 | $44,000 | $52,400 | $60,200 | $71,800 | 1,900 | 2,120 | +12% |
| Minnesota | $40,500 | $45,900 | $55,500 | $66,000 | $73,800 | 1,000 | 1,190 | +19% |
| Mississippi | $33,200 | $40,800 | $47,100 | $59,000 | $72,700 | 640 | 730 | +14% |
| Missouri | $34,400 | $40,900 | $47,600 | $57,600 | $69,000 | 1,320 | 1,450 | +10% |
| Montana | $33,100 | $40,900 | $51,000 | $60,700 | $70,700 | 230 | 280 | +21% |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | $39,600 | $48,900 | $58,300 | $68,900 | 570 | 640 | +12% |
| Nevada | $42,700 | $52,400 | $64,200 | $74,600 | $119,200 | 300 | 330 | +12% |
| New Hampshire | $43,700 | $50,900 | $57,700 | $66,400 | $74,200 | 310 | 360 | +15% |
| New Jersey | $43,200 | $51,700 | $62,600 | $71,800 | $80,000 | 1,940 | 2,090 | +8% |
| New Mexico | $32,400 | $38,100 | $50,000 | $63,700 | $74,600 | 230 | 280 | +20% |
| New York | $41,400 | $49,600 | $58,800 | $70,400 | $80,700 | 5,360 | 5,970 | +11% |
| North Carolina | $36,700 | $42,300 | $50,000 | $58,600 | $68,100 | 1,660 | 1,900 | +15% |
| North Dakota | $34,400 | $40,400 | $47,600 | $57,200 | $66,900 | 230 | 270 | +14% |
| Ohio | $30,100 | $40,900 | $51,300 | $59,700 | $70,500 | 3,260 | 3,660 | +13% |
| Oklahoma | $29,900 | $39,000 | $47,100 | $57,700 | $70,800 | 850 | 1,040 | +22% |
| Oregon | $42,400 | $51,900 | $61,600 | $70,600 | $76,000 | 540 | 660 | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | $21,300 | $33,300 | $48,900 | $60,400 | $71,800 | 3,500 | 3,920 | +12% |
| Rhode Island | $39,100 | $49,400 | $63,200 | $73,700 | $84,400 | 340 | 380 | +11% |
| South Carolina | $27,900 | $35,700 | $45,900 | $58,500 | $70,400 | 790 | 920 | +17% |
| South Dakota | $36,500 | $42,000 | $48,800 | $58,500 | $67,700 | 200 | 200 | +2% |
| Tennessee | $32,000 | $40,300 | $49,300 | $60,600 | $71,900 | 1,160 | 1,380 | +19% |
| Texas | $32,900 | $43,100 | $53,300 | $62,700 | $74,100 | 4,160 | 5,160 | +24% |
| Utah | $22,200 | $33,900 | $46,800 | $60,300 | $70,400 | 400 | 500 | +24% |
| Vermont | $38,600 | $46,600 | $56,200 | $66,700 | $73,900 | 190 | 220 | +14% |
| Virginia | $35,000 | $43,600 | $55,200 | $68,300 | $78,400 | 1,260 | 1,470 | +17% |
| Washington | $43,200 | $52,800 | $62,000 | $71,200 | $79,600 | 1,120 | 1,360 | +21% |
| West Virginia | $28,700 | $37,600 | $49,000 | $65,000 | $74,000 | 440 | 490 | +12% |
| Wisconsin | $39,400 | $46,400 | $53,800 | $60,300 | $70,800 | 1,440 | 1,660 | +15% |
| Wyoming | $24,000 | $44,400 | $56,000 | $65,100 | $81,700 | 70 | 90 | +28% |
