Dietitians and nutritionists work in a variety of settings, planning nutritional meals for large institutions, advising people on dietary issues and conducting nutritional research. Dietitians and nutritionists have at least a bachelor's degree and often an advanced degree. Registered dietitians must pass a credentialing exam after undergoing a supervised internship once they graduate from college. Around 60,000 dietitians were practicing in 2008, with a median salary of $50,590, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Dietitians' careers can follow a number of diverse paths.
Clinical Jobs
Over half of all dietitians work in clinical settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes and doctors' offices. Clinical dietitians may plan menus for institutions, manage the food service department, work with individual patients to design nutritious and appealing meals or teach nutrition classes. Clinical dietitians may advance to management positions, overseeing every aspect of a food service program, including hiring and training other dietitians.
Research
Dietitians working in research may work for a number of government facilities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many dietitians work with food manufacturers on product development and research, while others work in laboratories or on animal or human clinical trials.
Consultants
Consultants work in a number of environments, providing guidance to individuals or food service managers, or sharing their expertise in areas such as sports management, large supermarkets and wellness programs at health clubs. They may teach wellness classes and work on budgeting and food planning as well as safety issues such as sanitation.
Community Health
Community dietitians may work with home health agencies or public health clinics, advising clients on nutritional issues, including food shopping, budgeting and preparation. They may also create special diets for people in the community who have specific health issues.
Education
Registered dietitians with advanced degrees can teach. Teaching at the university level generally requires a PhD, while a master's degree may suffice for teaching in a community college. Some dietitians write columns about food, diet and nutrition for newspapers, magazines or websites.
Public Relations
Many food manufacturers hire dietitians for public relations jobs, to produce literature and make presentations to professional organizations and trade groups.
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