What are typical dietician salaries?

Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

Typically a registered dietitian salary is 65K, however for chief clinical and clinical nutrition manager on avg is 75K plus. Long term care dietitian is compensated more than an acute care RD, perhaps because there is so much more work.

jaynard in Brooklyn, New York said: Typically a registered dietitian salary is 65K, however for chief clinical and clinical nutrition manager on avg is 75K plus. Long term care dietitian is compensated more than an acute care RD, perhaps because there is so much more work.

I have over 15 years experience and I was making 47,000/year in Southern Indiana working in LTC in 2007. In the midwest, that is considered a good salary for a dietitian! Most RD's have a Master's degree, just like physical therapists and occupational therapist. However, our pay is much less. I would never advise anyone to become a dietitian if they have to survive own their own salary.

In texas I made $50,000 ~7 years ago as a corporate dietitian in long term care. I made $65,000 for an independent home dialysis company. I made $67,000 for an infusion company, I made $60,000 as a hospital clinical manager. All required many long hard hours, 10-12 hour days, some weekends, maybe the holiday off but typically time off during holidays frowned on. I am in excellent standing but the risk of litagation or losing your license is high with state mandates, etc which always makes me nervous , extensive timely documentation is required. Patient care suffers due to all the paperwork required. I am single and wish I had never gone into the healthcare field. I dont find many teachers, dietians or nurses very happy in their jobs. Is that a gender related thing or what??

I think as RD's masters or non-masters we do not value our worth. I would not walk in to any work place and accept any thing less than 75 K with my masters degree and over 15 years experience. And when a new RD comes into hire with me I frequently hear 55 to 60, sometimes I will ask what is your ideal salary... 65 then I will tell her this is your worth... know how to bargain... HR over 99% will give that person their worth. Look at it this way, they go to the lower range first, but there is always a top range. Shoot for the top range or walk away because you will be disgruntled.

susan in Spring, Texas said: In texas I made $50,000 ~7 years ago as a corporate dietitian in long term care. I made $65,000 for an independent home dialysis company. I made $67,000 for an infusion company, I made $60,000 as a hospital clinical manager. All required many long hard hours, 10-12 hour days, some weekends, maybe the holiday off but typically time off during holidays frowned on. I am in excellent standing but the risk of litagation or losing your license is high with state mandates, etc which always makes me nervous , extensive timely documentation is required. Patient care suffers due to all the paperwork required. I am single and wish I had never gone into the healthcare field. I dont find many teachers, dietians or nurses very happy in their jobs. Is that a gender related thing or what??

Hi Susan, I am taking class now to become a dietetic techncian and was hoping one day to continue for a bachelor degree as a registered dietitican. I am presently a CNA, I knew that I didn't want to be a nurse. I chose to be a dietetic technican because I have an interest in nutrition and health. Most dietitians say they like their jobs but I guess it depends on the workplace. Have you ever done community nutrition? If so, which one do you like best, and advise would be appreciated.

Etta,
frankly choose something like occupational therapist or physical therapist if you want to make $$$

P. Blumberg in Saint Albans, New York said: Etta,
frankly choose something like occupational therapist or physical therapist if you want to make $$$

Hi P. Blumberg, I really appreciate your advise, I see you have been and RD for a while. Could you please tell me what you like and don't like about be an RD? Thank you so much.

Etta

Etta in Memphis, Tennessee said: Hi P. Blumberg, I really appreciate your advise, I see you have been and RD for a while. Could you please tell me what you like and don't like about be an RD? Thank you so much.

My first job was community - WIC 32 K a year in those days, then I went back and got my RD and Masters, started off with 52 big jump as a normal RD then moved up, however the comparrison to that of other Rehab disciplines is - they make more $$$ yet we do 4 yrs college 2-3 yrs grad school, tons of hours of internship and pou salary is so small. I f I had to do it over, the yrs I did in school I could have been a pharmacist - 91 K to start! RD tons of paperwork, and the salary is horrible, only if you are in management and that compared to other disciplines is still small!

P. Blumberg in Saint Albans, New York said:

Thanks for your comment it was very informative.

I work in community nutrition as a dietitian for a nonprofit and the pay is terrible, so the diet tech is probably terrible as well. It is part-time and I make less than $25/hour after 4 years there and have no benefits. This is comparable to other like agencies. Our diet tech is full time. I have a Master's degree, but it does not matter in the compensation I don't think. I do like the work though.

Etta in Memphis, Tennessee said: Hi Susan, I am taking class now to become a dietetic techncian and was hoping one day to continue for a bachelor degree as a registered dietitican. I am presently a CNA, I knew that I didn't want to be a nurse. I chose to be a dietetic technican because I have an interest in nutrition and health. Most dietitians say they like their jobs but I guess it depends on the workplace. Have you ever done community nutrition? If so, which one do you like best, and advise would be appreciated.

I have to agree with many of the posts here. For the education required, dietitians are both undervalued and underpaid. After 15 years of working in a hospital, I have found that many of the other health care workers, especially nurses, feel that they can do what a dieitian does. It does not seem that they are aware of what extensive knowledge our training provides. I would never advise someone to go into dietetics. Yes, the subject of nutrition, both from a dietary and a physiological aspect, is very interesting. But the actual job of dietitian - not so much.

The State of New Mexico pays a Dietitian $15-18/Hr. The Hospitals are not better at $20/Hr. UNM cranks out a dozen new grad every year. It's all about supply and demand. There are too many RDs for too few jobs which drives the salary down.
I recently looked at jobs in Florida, and that state's compensation is even less. The $50-75K jobs are few and far between. I have paid my dues to this profession for 30 years, never making enough to support myself. I would not recommend that anyone enter this practice unless you have a husband to support you.

Hospitals in the West have higher salary levels. My clinical pay tops out at $30.00 /hour with full benefits. I love my job because I get to do a little of everything including community education and I have great flexability with my hours. My children will soon be out of the house though and I will need to look for a full-time job.