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Menu planner vs nutrition specialist

The differences between menu planners and nutrition specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a menu planner, becoming a nutrition specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a menu planner has an average salary of $67,011, which is higher than the $53,989 average annual salary of a nutrition specialist.

The top three skills for a menu planner include plan menus, and . The most important skills for a nutrition specialist are patients, PET, and nutritional care.

Menu planner vs nutrition specialist overview

Menu PlannerNutrition Specialist
Yearly salary$67,011$53,989
Hourly rate$32.22$25.96
Growth rate15%7%
Number of jobs13,66220,074
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4242
Years of experience62

Menu planner vs nutrition specialist salary

Menu planners and nutrition specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Menu PlannerNutrition Specialist
Average salary$67,011$53,989
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $92,000Between $34,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Children's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between menu planner and nutrition specialist education

There are a few differences between a menu planner and a nutrition specialist in terms of educational background:

Menu PlannerNutrition Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsDietetics
Most common collegeCornell UniversityPennsylvania State University

Menu planner vs nutrition specialist demographics

Here are the differences between menu planners' and nutrition specialists' demographics:

Menu PlannerNutrition Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 45.1% Female, 54.9%Male, 26.5% Female, 73.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between menu planner and nutrition specialist duties and responsibilities

Menu planner example responsibilities.

  • Guide production planning activities ranging from developing and revising production schedules, forecasting trends and customer demand, and managing logistics.
  • Develop variety of menu items catering to food allergies and diet restrictions (gluten-free, vegan, etc . )
  • Create the LLC and obtain all necessary food and operating licenses.
  • Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
  • Develop store receipt projections that tie to the total OTB projection for the month being allocate.
  • Follow and adhere to facility policies and procedures implementing HIPAA requirements

Nutrition specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide districts with technical assistance for a state-wide USDA approve nutrient analysis and student eligibility software program.
  • Oversee the food bid process and audit of milk and food receipts in accordance with USDA guidelines.
  • Educate client classes on diabetes, bariatrics, hypertension, malnutrition, and other nutrition relate topics.
  • Provide options for campers with food allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and lactose free diets.
  • Develop variety of menu items catering to patrons with food allergies and diet restrictions such as gluten-free and vegan items.
  • Provide diabetes education to hospital inpatients and outpatients and conduct diabetes group classes.
  • Show more

Menu planner vs nutrition specialist skills

Common menu planner skills
  • Plan Menus, 100%
Common nutrition specialist skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • PET, 11%
  • Nutritional Care, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Nutrition Education, 4%
  • Diabetes, 4%

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