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Job outlook for dietary workers in the United States
Dietary worker job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected dietary worker job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 17,700 new jobs for dietary workers are projected over the next decade.
Dietary worker salaries have increased 22% for dietary workers in the last 5 years.
There are over 12,562 dietary workers currently employed in the United States.
There are 44,736 active dietary worker job openings in the US.
The average dietary worker salary is $27,601.
Are dietary worker jobs in demand?
Dietary worker job and salary trends over time
Dietary worker jobs over time
Dietary worker job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,562 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 12,727 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 13,852 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 13,063 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 13,354 | 0.00% |
Average dietary worker salary over time
Dietary worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,601 | $13.27 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | $26,257 | $12.62 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $25,124 | $12.08 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $24,065 | $11.57 | +6.0% |
| 2021 | $22,699 | $10.91 | +6.2% |
Dietary worker jobs by state
Most common states for dietary workers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 184 | 21% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 275 | 20% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 346 | 18% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,083 | 15% |
| 5 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,037 | 15% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 105 | 15% |
| 7 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,482 | 14% |
| 8 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 878 | 14% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 707 | 14% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 600 | 14% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 425 | 14% |
| 12 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 263 | 14% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,333 | 13% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,131 | 13% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 716 | 13% |
| 16 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 263 | 13% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 125 | 13% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 570 | 12% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 422 | 12% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 201 | 12% |
Most common cities for dietary workers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst | 3 | 8% | $30,161 |
| 2 | Westfield | 2 | 5% | $30,072 |
| 3 | Freeport | 1 | 4% | $25,988 |
| 4 | Newark | 1 | 3% | $24,938 |
| 5 | Auburn | 1 | 2% | $20,130 |
| 6 | Binghamton | 1 | 2% | $31,587 |
| 7 | Holyoke | 1 | 2% | $30,107 |
| 8 | Taunton | 1 | 2% | $30,121 |
| 9 | New Orleans | 2 | 1% | $19,729 |
| 10 | Albany | 1 | 1% | $21,090 |
| 11 | Antioch | 1 | 1% | $33,343 |
| 12 | Boulder | 1 | 1% | $31,785 |
| 13 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $25,827 |
| 14 | Philadelphia | 1 | 0% | $26,463 |
Dietary Worker job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of dietary worker experts
The University of Mississippi
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Director, Center for Health and Sports PerformanceThe University of Mississippi
Department of Nutrition & Hospitality Management
What skills stand out on Dietary Worker resumes?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Volunteer or paid experience in a health-related or food service field; knowledge of general nutrition, food allergies, texture modifications, special diets, factors that impact dietary intake, i.e., economic, environmental (access), social (living arrangements), etc.
What soft skills should all Dietary Workers possess?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Good listening, empathetic, caring, willingness to seek mentoring or ask questions of more seasoned professionals
What hard/technical skills are most important for Dietary Workers?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Word processing, excel, timely communication/documentation
What skills will help Dietary Workers earn the most?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Lifelong learning to advance knowledge/skills; good work ethic, team approach (patient-centric)