Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to increase 9% during the 2006-16 projection decade.  Job growth will result from an increasing emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits.  A growing and aging population will boost demand for nutritional counseling and treatment in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies.  Public interest in nutrition and increased emphasis on health education and prudent lifestyles also will spur demand, especially in food service management.  With an increased public awareness of obesity and diabetes, Medicare coverage may be expanded to include medical nutrition therapy for renal and diabetic patients, creating job growth for dietitians and nutritionists specializing in those diseases.

In addition to employment growth, job openings will result from the need to replace experienced workers who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons.  Overall, job opportunities will be goodfor dietitians and nutritionists, particularly for licensed and registered dietitians.  Job opportunities should be particularly good in outpatient care facilities, offices of physicians, and food service management.  Nutritionists without a bachelor’s degree will face keen competition for jobs.

Dietitians with specialized training, an advanced degree, or certifications beyond the particular State’s minimum requirement will experience the best job opportunities.  Those specializing in renal and diabetic nutrition or gerontological nutrition will benefit from the growing number of diabetics and the aging of the population.

Median annual earnings of dietitians and nutritionists were $46,980 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $38,430 and $57,090. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,330. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of dietitians and nutritionists in May 2006 were: