What are typical dietician salaries?

Nurses do not have the knowledge of the digestive tract and diseases the RD has studied. There are specific functions of Protein carbohydrate and fat not sudied in depth by a nurse curriculum. The energy cycle requires specific vitamins to function in sync. Wound healing is specific to nutrients. Enteral feeding and TPN are both involved and I would not want a nurse making those decisions
if a family member required this nutrition support. The flow is so important as well as product.
Why do you think there is a degree in Foods and Nutrition??

Hello guys, I'm currently studying Nutrition in London, in the hope of continuing with a masters in nutrition and dietetics. For anyone that's interested the wage for someone who is considered an expert (7-10 year's experience) you will be looking at getting paid £33+ Or $55P/H. After gaining my qualification I hope to move to America and settle down with my girlfriend... I was wondering however if there are any different rules and regulation's that are in place in America as they are here, For example to even apply for work as a Dietitian you need at least a years unpaid experience, or "placement" as we call it I believe it may also be known as an "internship...?" over there? Anywho, with a years experience because of the demand even then it is difficult to find a place willing to take you on... I was wondering whether it were the same in the U.S? If anyone knows and could let me know tha'd be pretty cool.

Many thanks,
Mike. x

Here in WI I started at $17.50, now up to $20, but I also have a PRN job at $22 plus I do private consulting and restaurant certification to provide gluten-free food service. I gave up almost a full scholarship to one college and decided to switch to a school that had dietetics in the area; the only one was a private school that I still owe $86,000. I started the graduate degree until I learned that it wouldn't get me any more money, and at this point I had to choose between bankruptcy or go to a credit debt agent to lower my interest so I can make more than the minimum payments. I LOVE what I do, I'd say really go into if your heart is in it. Mine was, and I had no clue how much RDs made while I was in school. Sometimes I wish I did something else just because I hate the financial mess I'm in, but I know I wouldn't be happy.

Shannon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin said: Here in WI I started at $17.50, now up to $20, but I also have a PRN job at $22 plus I do private consulting and restaurant certification to provide gluten-free food service. I gave up almost a full scholarship to one college and decided to switch to a school that had dietetics in the area; the only one was a private school that I still owe $86,000. I started the graduate degree until I learned that it wouldn't get me any more money, and at this point I had to choose between bankruptcy or go to a credit debt agent to lower my interest so I can make more than the minimum payments. I LOVE what I do, I'd say really go into if your heart is in it. Mine was, and I had no clue how much RDs made while I was in school. Sometimes I wish I did something else just because I hate the financial mess I'm in, but I know I wouldn't be happy.

Aspiring dietitian in Nashotah, Wisconsin said: Did you by any chance go to Mount Mary College in Milwaukee?

Yes, I did.:)

Hello to everyone !

I am almost done with my MS in Nutrition -- just need a comp exam and dietetic internship. After 3 years of trying, I had finally got accepted into a DI, which I would need to start this fall. However, I have just found out that I got accepted into a pharmacy school too, after having being put on the waiting list 2 times. Now, I am very lost at what I should do. I applied to the pharmacy this year on a whim, although I had wanted to go to this field before I choose dietetics ( but was rejected 2 times). Now when I am almost done with my MS and have my DI before me ( for which I have worked very hard too !), they take me into the pharmacy school. I know that I can endure the 4 more years of pharm school, but not sure if it is worth it. I hear a lot of people here are not happy with their RD jobs. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you so much !

go to pharmacy school-- starting salary is 91K, an RD would need 20 years to make that-- plus it would be more feasible!

Most schools let you defer your entrance. Find out and do your DI, get your license and start Pharm school next year. Seems like a lot but you worked hard for both, I say whats 10 months of the DI? Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply ! Well, I have already accepted the Pharmacy's school offer. Right now, I feel bad that I never really asked them about a possibility of deferment. I was a little uneasy to do this because technically I had gotten accepted into the pharmacy program after been put off in the reserve pool, then on their waiting list, and finally, only in August, they sent me an acceptance letter. I suppose someone just gave up their seat.There is no info about the possibility to defer your acceptance on the pharmacy school website, yet there is some info on the school's sister school ( which is located in CA). They said that they may give the deferment to some student, but they have to consider your case separately. I suppose that in my case I would be a somewhat unsuitable candidate for this deferment,since I was accepted only in the end. What do you think?....

you did the SUPER BEST THING OF GOING to PHARMACY school. If I had my life to do over, that is exactly what I would have done. All yhe very best to you.

DianaPol in Brooklyn, New York said: Thank you so much for your reply ! Well, I have already accepted the Pharmacy's school offer. Right now, I feel bad that I never really asked them about a possibility of deferment. I was a little uneasy to do this because technically I had gotten accepted into the pharmacy program after been put off in the reserve pool, then on their waiting list, and finally, only in August, they sent me an acceptance letter. I suppose someone just gave up their seat.There is no info about the possibility to defer your acceptance on the pharmacy school website, yet there is some info on the school's sister school ( which is located in CA). They said that they may give the deferment to some student, but they have to consider your case separately. I suppose that in my case I would be a somewhat unsuitable candidate for this deferment,since I was accepted only in the end. What do you think?....

I am a dietitian and my father is a pharmacist. I would definitely choose pharmacy, especially if you were already interested in it. I worked in NYC as a dietitian and started at ~53k/yr in the city. I did enjoy the work though. I think I would have also enjoyed being a pharmacist as well. You could always do the DI later if you really want to. Pharmacy is a great career with a lot of opportunities. Hmmm, you're getting me thinking about going to pharmacy school...

I am studying dietetics at lehman college, New York City. I need a very high GPA to be able to take the ADA test. I love the major and I know that if anything, I like the health care field. But I am thinking that I should do my best, maybe get the RD but go to school after I am done for Physical Therapy.

ADVICE ANYONE PLEASE.. I cant transfer to another school-did that alot already.

aawt in Montrose, New York said: consisder pharmacist-- starting salary--91K
or Physical or occupational therapist. Starting salary 75K

Yeap but with a pharmacist you can literally kill someone unlike a dietitian. If a pharmacist gives the wrong drug, dose, dispenses a prescription that a doctor wrote wrong, or gives incorrect medication information to a patient or doctor then someone will die, so pharmacists have to always triple check there work constantly, its draining and you take your work with you when you go home. Also as a pharmacist its really difficult because you can always see ways to help improve the patients heath, or avoid intractions, give better suited treatments for the patient but its all in the hands of the docotrs who may or may not listen to you and its really frustating. I work as a retail pharmacist and im thinking of changing to becoming a dietitian because of the stress, people treat pharmacies like fast food restaurants and expect there prescriptions to be done in 5 minutes (even when the doctor has made a huge error and you have to ring them to correct it), you spend 8-12 hours a day non-stop on your feet with no breaks, theres not career advancement and theres currently an over supply of pharmacists. As a dietitian you make a change in someones life but the chances your going to kill them are very little yet you still get to help make an impact on the patients, you have specialised knowledge, you get to sit down (which is a must for me now) and have lunch breaks. In my country dietitians can even prescribe supplements and special foods to patients with diabetes, wheat or lactose intolerances etc. So you can see that the grass isn't always greener and people in every career will not neccassarly enjoy what they do. Also a career is what you make of it so if you enjoy being a dietitian try your hardest to be the best you can be and don't settle for low pay.

I also just want to say sorry for my spelling, i should have done a quick spell check before i posted!! Also last thing i want to point out is that in New zealand, community pharmacists get paid between $50,000 to $80,000 a year and a community based dietitian (not private) gets paid between $40,000 to $90,000 so if you were living in new zealand you would start off at a lower wage but after a few years you might get paid more than a pharmacist (and you get to sit down during your working hours):) and thats probably due to a dietitian having many more career advancement opportunities then a pharmacist (well in new zealand anyway). I don't know if thats the case in america. If someone hates their job, they should complain about it for a little while but then go do something else, im an example of that. Complaining and hating your job won't get you anyway and it will certainly not do much for your job or your profession. Also there are soo many pharmacists changing jobs, i know many that are now lawyers, doctors, chiroprationers instead so do what you think suits you but don't just jump in thinking that the grass will be greener because it may not always be the case. Go talk to people in your prefered career and get a feel because i didn't do that when i applied for pharmacy and thats why i think i made the wrong carer choice. Sorry for this essay i've written guys :P

Are you serious-- that's why choosing pharmacy/or rehab wouyld not be oondiucive! Dietitians are now in the legal eye of fire--- if some-one is dehydrated, given the wrong feeding, ulcers not treated immediately, we can also be sued. Please follow articles in Dietitian today ect., to know what leagal issues can take place with an RD who lacks good clinical judgement. Any job in itself can cause harm if not practice efficiently and appropriately!
RD's work is not a free ride, there are ramifications when a job is not well done.... and I stand by my thoughts-- if I could do this all over again in regards to salary I would be a pharmacist/rehab!

candymoon in New York, New York said: I am studying dietetics at lehman college, New York City. I need a very high GPA to be able to take the ADA test. I love the major and I know that if anything, I like the health care field. But I am thinking that I should do my best, maybe get the RD but go to school after I am done for Physical Therapy.

ADVICE ANYONE PLEASE.. I cant transfer to another school-did that alot already.

Hey Lehman College grad-- finish up then do your masters in OT or PT!

Mel in Lebanon, Pennsylvania said: To the comment of nurses feel they can do what a dietitian does, the older nurses can for sure. I am one of those retired nurses who had to do all of that before dietitians came to be. We got the same training and also we did all our respiratory treatments as well.

I doubt you received the same training because dietetics is a fairly new field (early to mid 1900s) and nutrition recommmendations and practices change so frequently.
-Clinical RD in TX

Teresa in Seattle, Washington said: Maybe i'm confused but to these salaries are not horrible. Of course with advanced work you will make more. But does anyone have POSITIVE things to say about being a dietitian?

Hi Teresa,
I have read that West Coast RDs are the best paid. That may be why you're so optimistic? I'm a clinical RD in Texas and make $20/hr, only $3 more per hour than our lead cook (not food service manager)! She has a high school diploma as her highest level of education. I was a PRN clinical RD in Arizona and made $18.50/hr.

I am sorry to see so many negative posts in this forum. I am 50 years old and have been in the clinical field for 20 years. I would say that I like my job 90% of the time. My pay started out at $18.00 an hour and I now make about $32.oo/hour. I work part-time so have very flexible hours which I really like. I get good benefits; retirement, med/den/vision. I decided against getting my master's as it wouldn't increase my pay, but I would now if I was just starting out. I love the people I work with and I have a lot of variability with my job; best of all, I have a great group to work with. I am one happy dietitian who is ready to take the next step in my career; international mission work!:)

Hi,

I was involved in this conversation a while back and still get the e-mails. I am one of the crazy transfer students (on almost a full scholarship and transferred to a school who gives out nothing) who pay half of my income in student debt, where the majority of which is in parent PLUS loans; nothing can be done about it. I have called local radio shows and even wrote the president to extend the student loan debt help to include parent plus loans. I LOVE being a dietitian. I work one full-time job, have four part-time jobs, and hopefully will soon have a fifth after confirmation from my latest interview. I am going through a divorce and the reality of how little my passion pays is hitting me. I do not qualify for food stamps because I make too much, but luckily a local food pantry will consider what I am paying in student loans. A job that literally saves lives is not taken seriously ... it makes me sick! I make as much money after student loans as i did scooping up food in my food service positions, only I don't get the benefit of qualifying for food stamps. Something is seriously wrong here......

Aspiring dietitian in Nashotah, Wisconsin said: Did you by any chance go to Mount Mary College in Milwaukee?

YES!!! I signed up again with my latest response (sorry, 11/1/11). I had a 4.0 in HS, had for one yr at another college 3.89. They gave me $500 for non-traditional student per year, I am soooo stuck with this. Now that I am going through a divorce, I will give up going through the DMP to filing for bankruptcy, even though that won't even touch student loans. The worst part is those jerks keep sending me requests for money, even though I explain that I am a dietitian going to FOOD PANTRIES I HAVE TO REFER CLIENTS TO!! If you love dietetics, I do not discourage it; just watch which type of loans you have. I was in a bad situation in that I supported myself by working full-time, but the stupid Stafford system looks at what your parents make even if you are not dependent on them. I didn't get much in Stafford loans (BTW, what you are allowed deductions and income-based or income-sensitive payments) because my parents made too much! I had to take the PLUS loans out, which is ridiculous; I have ALWAYS supported myself. I am so mad I can't continue right now...

NutritionWorks in Canby, Oregon said: I am sorry to see so many negative posts in this forum. I am 50 years old and have been in the clinical field for 20 years. I would say that I like my job 90% of the time. My pay started out at $18.00 an hour and I now make about $32.oo/hour. I work part-time so have very flexible hours which I really like. I get good benefits; retirement, med/den/vision. I decided against getting my master's as it wouldn't increase my pay, but I would now if I was just starting out. I love the people I work with and I have a lot of variability with my job; best of all, I have a great group to work with. I am one happy dietitian who is ready to take the next step in my career; international mission work!:)

Hi,

I will be graduating this December with my Master's in nutrition and I have a passion for international mission work. Would you be willing to tell me a little more about it? Thank you so much!

Hi,

I will be graduating from my internship soon and plan to begin looking for a entry level clinical position in Florida. Can anyone give me any advice on how much of a salary I should negotiate for as an entry level dietitian? Also if you know of any positions available in the Jacksonville area that would be helpful as well. Thank You!

Go on to morrison or sodehxo web site which may indeed have an opportunity for young grads. Ask for 60K

Nancy in Knob Noster, Missouri said: 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.

i agreed you r right.i m also the sufferer.we should do something for our proffesion.

hey,
i am a dietetics student in canada...... i am wondering how likely is the hospital/health center to hire dietitian from another state/country??????
thanks.

Hi Jenny,
I'm a Canadian who just completed a combined masters/internship program in dietetics in Buffalo. If you're interested in working in the US at a later date, you really should have no issues as both countries have a reciprocity agreement (meaning that they recognize each others schooling/training to be equal). As an example, when I completed my program in the US, I simply had to transfer my paperwork (verification statement) to the College of Dietitians of Ontario and I was all set to write the exam and be fully registered in Ontario. To help put you at ease some more, many of the Americans in my program moved out of state after graduation and they had no issues whatsoever in obtaining employment elsewhere––because as in Canada, you write a nationwide exam that is recognized by all states.
Hope this helps.

This is a very interesting thread. I am a late 20s woman who will be graduating with a MS in Nutrition in a few weeks. I wouldn't recommend the dietetics field to most students because the cost of my degrees and the pain of getting an internship outweighs the compensation.Unfortunately, I was already too far down the road to turn back when I realized this so I decided to go ahead and finish.
That being said, their is something to be said about having a job that you ENJOY. Yes pharmacist get paid more, but I would be miserable doing that everyday. There are many professions where the compensation is not commensurate with the training and effect (i.e. teachers, clinical social workers, certain psychologist). If you love dietetics and want to work in dietetics the reality is IT DOESN'T PAY MUCH COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILARLY EDUCATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS. If you are ok with this reality, than go for it. If you aren't than I would go the route of physician assistant, nursing, or doctor where you can still be involved in the nutrition care of the patients (depending on the setting).
FYI, some of the dietitians here have taken issue with a nurse's claim that older nurses can do what dietitians do. The truth is, in the past, nurses where the ones involved in food and nutrition in many hospitals and LTCs. No, their training may not have been as extensive as that of a dietitian but they performed these tasks nevertheless. Now-a-days healthcare has moved into a lot of specialized allied health care fields but alot of specialist just didn't exist back in the day. Nurses certainly cannot do what dietitians do now but let us not haggle about the what happened in the past, it doesn't serve us now.

The average wages of dietitians and nutritionists are approximately $50,590. Though it varies with years in practice, education level, and geographic region. Also there might be some variation with the work profile like the salary of dietitian in consultation and business, food and nutrition management and education and research is a little higher than those in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care and community nutrition. But the thing is wages come much after the passion. If somebody has an inclination towards being a dietitian, being a pharmacist or a nurse would not satisfy him.

mari in Modesto, California said: I just applied for financial aid to begin my major in nutrition. I am concerned with the responses I'm reading here and am wondering if this is a good idea after all. I have a genuine interest in nutrition, natural health, helping people and practicing an alternative to most mainstream medicine.

I've been a stay at home mom for almost 3 yrs so this is a big step for me. I don't dare lose precious time with my daughter, pursuing something that I will later hate and not be compensated for all my schooling. Does anyone have any advice? thank you!

mari,
If your interest in nutrition is healing, natural health and alternative medicine, you might want to look into other programs besides the RD track. That is my area of interest also, and I'm glad now that I've finished my RD; however, if you don't want to work in the clinical setting, there might be better options for you. I would look into the integrative institute of nutrition (IIN), holisitic nutrition programs (specialize!), or other certificate programs. The RD is truly the nutrition expert, but if you're into holistic healing, there are more direct routes to being the expert in that arena. The RD route was a bit clinical, drug-related, and non-holistic for me. I'm thinking about doing different certificate programs to fill in the gaps in my education: Cornell U's Plant-based nutrition certificate, possibly IIN, herbal certification, etc. Maybe one day looking into traditional Chinese medicine or something like that. Good luck!

I am graduating in 2013 from a coordinated program and planning to get my RD right after I graduate. I know that dietitians do not get paid a whole lot, but is it worth it to start applying to grad schools for a masters degree in nutrition? Is it better to get a masters in just nutrition or is it better to specialize in something like "food management" or "wellness" or "clinical nutrition"?

Or is it better to just apply for a job after graduation and go back to get a masters?

I hear that you do get paid more with a MS...

laurennn1022 in Fort Worth, Texas said: I am graduating in 2013 from a coordinated program and planning to get my RD right after I graduate. I know that dietitians do not get paid a whole lot, but is it worth it to start applying to grad schools for a masters degree in nutrition? Is it better to get a masters in just nutrition or is it better to specialize in something like "food management" or "wellness" or "clinical nutrition"?

Or is it better to just apply for a job after graduation and go back to get a masters?

I hear that you do get paid more with a MS...

Usually, you don't get paid more. get your RD, work for a bit, then get your Master's in something else.

wow i have read all these posts and am surprised by the negative and very few positive comments about becoming a dietitian. im a senior in high school and was looking into this field. i, however, would LOVE to be a dietitian and that might just outweigh the poor pay. based on the responses i hear it's better to just get a bachelors in ??? rather than a masters since the pay is the same, is this a good idea??

Hi all,

Thanks for sharing all of this useful information. I'm in my 2nd semester of the two year dietetic program and really dislike it so far..... My placement has been terrible - I'm in the clinical setting right now and feel like I'm being forced to do all the non-dietetic related work that my preceptor has no time for. I only have a little over a year left and it's a tough program to get into, so I'm NOT giving up, but I'm just feeling really discouraged and frustrated. Does anyone have any words of advice or encouragement?? I feel like anything would help right about now......

Thanks a lot!!!

I've read all of these posts and I have to admit my anxiety level went up astronomically!!! I am about to finish my DPD at the end of this year. I already have a degree in Coomunications from years ago. Being 40 and trying to get the right education to become an RD has not been easy. I wish I had known all the negatives when I started 3 years ago and that there were no internships. I feel like many who have posted here- discouraged and frustrated. It's too late for me to turn back now and I cant believe that being a pharmacist is what most posters recommend. I'm not in nutrition for the money but I really would like enough money to live on and survive. I agree that the amount of education and clinical required is really high for what RD's actually get in salary and respect. I would love to hear from anyone who did this when they were older or as a second career because right now I feel like Im up the creek without a paddle.

1) You were dumb to go into the field if you wanted to make money. I knew RDs don't make money, but I value success in life as helping make positive change in the world. I grew up with money and know it DOES NOT buy happiness. Your parents work all the time and neglect you and aren't educated on making healthy kids like an RD will. Who cares if your folks make $300k a year ++ and feed you hamburger helper at night if they remember while they give no care about their body composition and long term health or social life. I learned about achievement from my parents. That said, I am lucky to not have to pay for school at all because my parents love me financially at least. I am the one teaching them to lead healthy lifestyles so they can actually enjoy some of their retirement not in chronic disease after making all that cash (which is all they know how to do). Plus they may not be educated on properly raising a gay kid that now uses their money in therapy to stop having social anxiety from our "loving" Christian home...

2) As a gay male, I realize if I live frugally, I don't have to support a family (a perk of liking men without a uterus). I can survive on an RD salary. However, I really don't have any plans to enroll in a hospital because I am an entrepreneur in a sedentary society. All I see are business opportunities...If you can't sell your services, then don't complain that you settled to work at a hospital where you are looked down upon. A dietitian will shine in wellness but not in medicine. If you want to be a cog in the machine, then you'll be dissatisfied with this profession. If you don't shove it in the other healthcare providers' faces that they fix broken people and that you prevent them from getting broken in the first place, of course you'll lack self-esteem to request a higher salary. Women make 0.75 to the $1 a male makes, so I at least have the sex advantage in making more money and bringing esteem to this profession.

3) The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supposedly will require a masters degree in the near future (I was told 5 years). This is a GOOD thing for the profession. This means that you will have more respect since other health professions also require higher ed. It also means you will have hands-down the best nutrition credential out there (the CNS is often argued as better due to their requirement of a masters or PHD in spite of lack of any dietetics core class requirements and the fact it is a fraction of the size of the Academy).
4) Get a masters degree in something other than nutrition that is related. For example: physiology, psychology, kinesiology, public health. Your credential will be much more competitive after that. MS in nutrition is pointless unless you plan to continue onto PhD and research/teaching lifestyle.
5) Learn to market yourself as the best nutrition professional and to be able to make whatever changes you specialize in others' lives. Learn to make cost-benefit analyses (you learned these in food service management). You will save your client thousands in medical expenses if they pay you now in preventative care. You will let your client live a functional life till death rather than being a drain on the medical system in chronic disease management till they die slowly in a hospital or long-term care setting. It's not fun for the society or for them.
6) Get out of the profession if you don't feel this strongly about it. Good riddance and stop making those of us who went into it for a reason look bad.

Wow, such passion, I like it;) However, they were talking about requiring a Masters in Nutrition in 5 years back when I was in college >6 years ago..

Yea, if they don't require a masters, then it just devalues the RDs without a masters as inferior.

That said, if they require it IN NUTRITION, that would be absurd because the point is to become well-rounded to be able to apply nutrition in various settings. By the time you finish the didactic program in dietetics, you know enough about nutrition and how to learn more esteemed information about it, you just need knowledge of how to apply it in other settings (such as counseling [psych degree], exercise [kinesiology], health promotion/prevention [public health], business [MBA]). The value of the masters is much greater if completed in another discipline, and I think those in power at the Academy are aware of this. Did you see the credentials of those who are running for office (if you are an AND member and voted)? I had to look a lot of them up...but they were things like "doctorate in management," which would be an excellent credential for managing a society of professionals.

The field is exciting to be in right now...

Yes, I agree with you.... Go out and get it! And if you want to collaborate, give me your email. I hold a TX license as well

Mel in Lebanon, Pennsylvania said: To the comment of nurses feel they can do what a dietitian does, the older nurses can for sure. I am one of those retired nurses who had to do all of that before dietitians came to be. We got the same training and also we did all our respiratory treatments as well.

You obviously do not value a coordinated care approach. I'm glad you are retired.

Women don't bring "esteem" to the profession?

I have been a dietitian for 12 years and have worked with the WIC program, hospital setting, worked for a consulting company in long term care, and independent consulting. My advice for any dietitian looking to make $$$$ is to aim for independent consulting. Are you going to see triple digits in this profession? No. But, you can still make some decent money if you market yourself, especially in long term care. Not all nursing homes are bad. You have to be selective, and steer clear of the places that expect the impossible (piles and piles of unnecessary forms, paperwork.) There are good nursing homes out there where you can get your paperwork done and still have enough time for patient interaction. Try to stay away from consulting companies. They are making a ton of $$$$ off of you. You are the one doing the work, so shouldn't the $$$$ be in your pocket, not theirs???? The consulting companies will also make you sign a non-compete agreement, meaning you can't work or be hired by those nursing homes directly for 1-3 years (depending on the company.) The field of dietetics is awesome. I love it. I'd love it more if the salary was a little better, but you should never base your decision on money alone. What good is any profession if you hate it?? Also, with our nation being as overweight as it is, the market and demand for dietitians is only going to to up (think nutrition education at weight loss clinics.) Great opportunities are out there if you're willing to go after them. :)

I gave up my job in NYC in the finance and marketing world. Many people have told me that I was crazy, but as someone else said in this forum money doesn't buy happiness. I worked between 100 - 120 hours a week and completely underpaid when I working in marketing. I think now a days everyone is underpaid. No one makes as much as they were told they were going to make. And no one is really "happy" in their jobs, there will always be negatives. It's not perfect.
Now I'm back in school for my BS/MS in dietetics. I'm struggling in my classes because gosh knows I haven't seen a science class in a REALLY long time. But I don't doubt this isn't the right thing to do. I've been discouraged many times by professors, friends, and family. But honestly, its a great feeling knowing that if I can pull through and do this, I can hold degrees in two completely different fields. And I can use my marketing and finance skills in correlation with my dietetic skills in the future.
If I manage to survive and do decently well I will take the MCATs and possibly go straight into med school (if I do well and get into a good school). My advice to anyone thinking about dietetics is don't be discouraged to go into a field that "makes no money". If you want to make money then I don't think any health field is appropriate for you. The health field shouldn't be about making the most money in the world. That what the business mindset is. Be in the health field because YOU want to make a difference and help others. It's much more rewarding knowing you've helped someone live a little longer. You can put a price on materialistic things but can't put a price on life.

As for comments about how a nurse or a PA can do a dietitians job, well I looked at the nurse criteria and guess what, they only have about 1 to 2 classes of nutrition. So if with those 1 - 2 classes a nurse can be a dietitian does it mean they can be a chiropractor too? There's a reason why people specialize in these fields, there's too much to learn.

Even in the business world, a marketing persons job can't always be done by an accountant. And there's no saying that a marketing person can't do an accountants job. But we specialize in fields for a reason. This is also the reason by people deal with patients in the medical world holistically. You need everyones help to solve all the problems it isn't just done with 1 doctor. A neurologist can't cure everything and a oncologist can't cure everything either.

So to all those "haters" hating on us dietitians/future dietitians stop hating. We each do our own jobs well and at our own accord. No reason to devalue others. You're in the medical field, you're all valuable in your own way. If you enjoy your job good for you.

Hi, i read you were from the AV form the thread about dietitians. I saw that you make $40/hr and have made more than $90k/yr. How is your salary so high after 5 years experience? As a clinical dietitian, are you specialized in a certain domain?

I'm asking this because i graduated in spring 2011 with a BS in nutrition and I am about to start an internship. I'm not so sure I want to pursue it if the pay is so slow. I read that 10% of RDs make more than $60k a year. I don't want to work my whole life to possibly reach that level.

Should i even invest my time in the internship, or should i quit while i'm ahead and pursue a job i can really enjoy that has an agreeable salary?

Thank you for your time.

LDA in Los Alamitos, California said: Hi, i read you were from the AV form the thread about dietitians. I saw that you make $40/hr and have made more than $90k/yr. How is your salary so high after 5 years experience? As a clinical dietitian, are you specialized in a certain domain?

I'm asking this because i graduated in spring 2011 with a BS in nutrition and I am about to start an internship. I'm not so sure I want to pursue it if the pay is so slow. I read that 10% of RDs make more than $60k a year. I don't want to work my whole life to possibly reach that level.

Should i even invest my time in the internship, or should i quit while i'm ahead and pursue a job i can really enjoy that has an agreeable salary?

Thank you for your time.

Quit now if you will not be satisfied with the poor pay...but stick with it if you are passionate about nutrition, and are willing to look past the money.

I couldn't disagree with you more...I am an RD in a hospital, and am an advocate for implementation of new research in our field. I have presented much of this research to our physician's and have, as a result, changed P&Ps. I am not "looked down upon." The doctor's have come to rely on me for all aspects of nutrition support, both enteral and parenteral. Why would you dismiss this entire realm of dietetics, when there is so many opportunities to not only educated and help patients, but other health practitioners?

I am passionate about clinical nutrition, and would not be happy in consulting/business (even though the pay is better). Good for you for finding your niche, but don't knock others who have found a way to succeed and be a pioneer in the field of nutrition support/clinical nutrition.

I also disagree that requiring a Master's Degree would help our field. I think if you CHOOSE to do it, that's great. However, to require it, without the incentive of a guaranteed better salary in your chosen area, I think is ridiculous. I can think of a few areas in dietitics where a Master's might get you more money, but in clinical it won't, and I'm thankful I wasn't required to get one. (I completed a Coordinated Program.) As for your argument as how other professionals perceive your credentials based on your amount of education. Why not prove them wrong? I can provide amazing services and valuable clinical skills with my Bachelor's degree, and my colleagues have come to recognize that. I am constantly educating nursing, pharmacists, therapists, and doctors about current nutrition recommendations and literature that form our practices at our facility.

I couldn't disagree with you more...I am an RD in a hospital, and am an advocate for implementation of new research in our field. I have presented much of this research to our physician's and have, as a result, changed P&Ps. I am not "looked down upon." The doctor's have come to rely on me for all aspects of nutrition support, both enteral and parenteral. Why would you dismiss this entire realm of dietetics, when there is so many opportunities to not only educated and help patients, but other health practitioners?

I am passionate about clinical nutrition, and would not be happy in consulting/business (even though the pay is better). Good for you for finding your niche, but don't knock others who have found a way to succeed and be a pioneer in the field of nutrition support/clinical nutrition.

I also disagree that requiring a Master's Degree would help our field. I think if you CHOOSE to do it, that's great. However, to require it, without the incentive of a guaranteed better salary in your chosen area, I think is ridiculous. I can think of a few areas in dietitics where a Master's might get you more money, but in clinical it won't, and I'm thankful I wasn't required to get one. (I completed a Coordinated Program.) As for your argument as how other professionals perceive your credentials based on your amount of education. Why not prove them wrong? I can provide amazing services and valuable clinical skills with my Bachelor's degree, and my colleagues have come to recognize that. I am constantly educating nursing, pharmacists, therapists, and doctors about current nutrition recommendations and literature that form our practices at our facility.

@ Male in Austin, TX (tried to reply to your post a couple of times, but it wouldn't let me):

I couldn't disagree with you more...I am an RD in a hospital, and am an advocate for implementation of new research in our field. I have presented much of this research to our physician's and have, as a result, changed P&Ps. I am not "looked down upon." The doctor's have come to rely on me for all aspects of nutrition support, both enteral and parenteral. Why would you dismiss this entire realm of dietetics, when there is so many opportunities to not only educated and help patients, but other health practitioners?

I am passionate about clinical nutrition, and would not be happy in consulting/business (even though the pay is better). Good for you for finding your niche, but don't knock others who have found a way to succeed and be a pioneer in the field of nutrition support/clinical nutrition.

I also disagree that requiring a Master's Degree would help our field. I think if you CHOOSE to do it, that's great. However, to require it, without the incentive of a guaranteed better salary in your chosen area, I think is ridiculous. I can think of a few areas in dietitics where a Master's might get you more money, but in clinical it won't, and I'm thankful I wasn't required to get one. (I completed a Coordinated Program.) As for your argument as how other professionals perceive your credentials based on your amount of education. Why not prove them wrong? I can provide amazing services and valuable clinical skills with my Bachelor's degree, and my colleagues have come to recognize that. I am constantly educating nursing, pharmacists, therapists, and doctors about current nutrition recommendations and literature that form our practices at our facility.