If you love to help people be the healthiest they can be, a career in fitness or nutrition may be just the thing you're looking for. With almost 70 percent of adults in the United States either overweight or obese, the market for fitness and nutrition experts doesn't look to be going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Knowing the type of education and training you need is essential for getting started on your new career.
Education/Certification
A career in the nutrition and diet field requires at least bachelor's degree in a related field, such as dietetics or food and nutrition, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many dieticians hold advanced degrees, such as a Master's or Ph.D. In the United States, 33 states require licensure to provide dietetic services, 12 require statutory certification and one requires registration. You should contact your state's labor department for information on your specific state certification and licensure requirements. While the education requirements aren't as strict for fitness-related careers, an increasing number of fitness instructors have a bachelor's degree in a related sports or fitness field, such as physical education or exercise science. Certification is the most important qualification for fitness workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and usually requires passing a written exam prepared and administered by a certifying organization, such as the American Council on Exercise.
Types
Specific jobs within the fitness and nutrition fields vary widely. Group fitness instructors usually lead classes in a specific type of workout, such as Pilates, Yoga or general aerobic exercise. Personal fitness trainers work one-on-one with individuals or small groups to provide personalized fitness instruction. Dietitians work with individuals to help create healthy eating plans based on certain conditions, such as disease or obesity. Clinical dietitians may work with hospitals or medical centers to help determine patients' individual dietary needs based on condition or prognosis.
Salary Information
The median annual salary for a person working in the dietetics or nutrition field is about $50,590, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest-paying sector among this field is usually hospitals and medical centers, with the lowest-paying sector being government and food services companies. For fitness-related careers, the median annual wage is $29,210 for fitness and aerobic instructors, with medical and hospital organizations again paying the most and civic organizations and schools paying the least amount.
Considerations
Becoming a fitness instructor is a viable solution for someone looking for a career change, since certification -- which can take as little as a few weeks -- is the most important aspect of being hired. Many employers are likely looking for candidates who are in peak or optimal physical condition themselves, making regular exercise and healthy eating a priority for someone looking to break into a career in fitness.
Job Outlook
Because of the increasing rate of obesity among Americans, the fitness and nutrition industry is poised to keep growing, making jobs in these areas steady and increasingly lucrative. For example, the number of fitness-related workers is expected to increase by about 29 percent by the year 2018. Jobs in the dietary and nutrition field are expected to rise about on average with the national pace for all jobs at about 9 percent.
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