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Chief dietitian vs registered dietitian

The differences between chief dietitians and registered dietitians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a chief dietitian and a registered dietitian. Additionally, a chief dietitian has an average salary of $65,808, which is higher than the $58,227 average annual salary of a registered dietitian.

The top three skills for a chief dietitian include medical nutrition, nutrition education and quality improvement. The most important skills for a registered dietitian are patients, patient care, and home health.

Chief dietitian vs registered dietitian overview

Chief DietitianRegistered Dietitian
Yearly salary$65,808$58,227
Hourly rate$31.64$27.99
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs18,7476,144
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Chief dietitian vs registered dietitian salary

Chief dietitians and registered dietitians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chief DietitianRegistered Dietitian
Average salary$65,808$58,227
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $133,000Between $43,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-CVS Health
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between chief dietitian and registered dietitian education

There are a few differences between a chief dietitian and a registered dietitian in terms of educational background:

Chief DietitianRegistered Dietitian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorDieteticsDietetics
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Chief dietitian vs registered dietitian demographics

Here are the differences between chief dietitians' and registered dietitians' demographics:

Chief DietitianRegistered Dietitian
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 15.5% Female, 84.5%Male, 7.9% Female, 92.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 9.3% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between chief dietitian and registered dietitian duties and responsibilities

Chief dietitian example responsibilities.

  • Manage the anemia status of patients by reviewing necessary lab data and initiating or adjusting medication doses.
  • Monitor adherence to MDS schedule, care plan completion, and DOH regulations.
  • Provide individual and group nutrition counseling, including interactive nutrition and culinary sessions to low-income multicultural communities.
  • Provide clinical nutrition coverage as needed for medical-surgical, telemetry, intensive care unit, behavioral health and rehabilitative floors.

Registered dietitian example responsibilities.

  • Help patients maintain nutritional adequacy while managing food allergies.
  • Manage the anemia status of patients by reviewing necessary lab data and initiating or adjusting medication doses.
  • Manage the in-store dietitian program providing nutrition education, culinary workshops, food demonstrations, and nutritional assessments.
  • Develop and conduct weight loss programs; provide nutritional counseling for cardiac rehabilitation patients.
  • Diet education to nonsurgical patients on eating disorders, diabetes and other nutrition relate conditions.
  • Cover all topics ranging from weight management to oncology.
  • Show more

Chief dietitian vs registered dietitian skills

Common chief dietitian skills
  • Medical Nutrition, 22%
  • Nutrition Education, 21%
  • Quality Improvement, 17%
  • Clinical Nutrition, 16%
  • Food Service Operations, 14%
  • Educational Materials, 10%
Common registered dietitian skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy, 6%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%

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