Research Summary. The Zippia data team has utilized a blend of public government data, company resources, and insights from job postings to compile average salary estimates for dietary aide roles across the United States. This analysis focuses on identifying the highest-paying dietary aide positions based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings for the highest-paying dietary aide roles:
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Clinical Dietitian remains the highest-paid dietary aide, with an average salary of $59,133, translating to an hourly rate of $28.43.
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The second highest-paying role is Dietitian, earning an average salary of $58,480.
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The average salary for dietary aides is $28,005 per year, equating to an average hourly pay of $13.46.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary should not be the sole factor in your decision, it plays an important role. If you are considering a career as a dietary aide, understanding the highest-paying positions can help guide your career progression effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various dietary aide roles:
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Clinical Dietitian
Average Salary: $59,133
A clinical dietitian provides essential nutritional care for patients by monitoring health conditions and recommending dietary adjustments to enhance recovery and maintain health. They collaborate with medical professionals to assess dietary options and devise nutrition plans tailored to patient needs. A solid understanding of medical practices is crucial for clinical dietitians to provide effective support and address patient inquiries accurately.
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Dietitian
Average Salary: $58,480
A dietitian assists clients in reaching their health objectives. Their responsibilities include assessing dietary needs, understanding individual preferences and restrictions, and creating customized nutrition plans. Dietitians also monitor clients’ progress and may promote healthy eating habits to the public while keeping updated on nutrition research.
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Registered Dietitian
Average Salary: $58,227
A Registered Dietitian evaluates the nutritional health of patients with various medical conditions, including diabetes and renal issues. They work in diverse settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient facilities.
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Nutrition Specialist
Average Salary: $53,989
Nutrition specialists offer in-depth knowledge of dietary requirements essential for health and growth. They provide nutrition services to patients in community health settings and develop meal plans based on individual dietary needs. Additionally, they organize outreach programs to engage the community in nutrition initiatives.
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Nutritionist
Average Salary: $49,877
A nutritionist guides patients in making informed food choices by assessing dietary habits and crafting meal plans. They often work with patients facing medical challenges such as diabetes or undergoing treatments like chemotherapy. Nutritionists may also educate groups on the significance of proper nutrition for health maintenance.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various dietary aide roles, followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Dietary Aides
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical Dietitian | |
| 2 | Dietitian | |
| 3 | Registered Dietitian | |
| 4 | Nutrition Specialist | |
| 5 | Nutritionist | |
| 6 | Diet Technician | |
| 7 | Nutrition Technician | |
| 8 | Dietetic Assistant | |
| 9 | Dietitian Assistant | |
| 10 | Dietetic Technician | |
| 11 | Dietetic Technician, Registered | |
| 12 | Nutrition Assistant | |
| 13 | Nutrition Aide | |
| 14 | Housekeeping Aide | |
| 15 | Food Service Aide | |
| 16 | Kitchen Aide | |
| 17 | Aide | |
| 18 | Dietary Aide, Serving | |
| 19 | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| 20 | Dietary Cook |
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information relevant to dietary aides.
After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title being analyzed. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Dietary Aide Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid dietary aide job?
The highest-paid dietary aide job is a clinical dietitian. Clinical Dietitians earn an average salary of $59,133, which is $28.43 hourly.
A clinical dietitian is responsible for providing quality nutritional care for patients by monitoring their current health conditions, advising nutritional and dietary supplements to maintain their healthy lifestyle, and speeding up their recovery process. Clinical dietitians often coordinate with other medical professionals to assess food choices and develop nutrition programs for patients. They must possess a strong understanding of the medical field to provide effective support and address patient inquiries accurately.
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What is a good salary for a dietary aide?
A good salary for a dietary aide is $28,005 or more. The average dietary aide salary is $28,005, so those earning at least this amount are above-average earners.
However, it’s important to note that salaries can vary significantly by location, as employers adjust pay scales to match the local cost of living. Researching average salaries in your area, considering your skills and experience, will provide a clearer picture of your earning potential.
If you’re just starting your career as a dietary aide, the average entry-level salary may be lower than $28,005. It’s essential to keep this in mind, as the average includes aides at all experience levels.
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Do Dietary Aide jobs pay well?
Dietary aide jobs don’t pay exceptionally well. While compensation varies in any field, the average dietary aide salary is $28,005, which is lower than the average national salary of around $44,225 per year.
Nevertheless, many dietary aide positions offer room for growth, with the top 10% of dietary aides earning significantly more. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and geographical location, so it’s crucial to research the typical pay for dietary aides in your area and negotiate your salary accordingly.
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Where do dietary aides get paid the most?
Dietary aides earn the most in Maine. In Maine, dietary aides have an average annual salary of $32,884, with an hourly wage of $15.81.
Following Maine, the states with the highest-paid dietary aides include New York, Oregon, and Montana, with average annual salaries of $32,008, $36,454, and $28,865, respectively.
The cities with the highest-paying dietary aide positions are:
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Vancouver, WA – $37,209
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Portland, OR – $36,531
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Portland, ME – $32,945
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
