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Nutritional consultant vs nutrition specialist

The differences between nutritional consultants and nutrition specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a nutritional consultant and a nutrition specialist. Additionally, a nutritional consultant has an average salary of $62,346, which is higher than the $53,989 average annual salary of a nutrition specialist.

The top three skills for a nutritional consultant include diabetes, weight loss and nutrition assessments. The most important skills for a nutrition specialist are patients, PET, and nutritional care.

Nutritional consultant vs nutrition specialist overview

Nutritional ConsultantNutrition Specialist
Yearly salary$62,346$53,989
Hourly rate$29.97$25.96
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs15,58120,074
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a nutritional consultant do?

A Nutritional Consultant provides assistance regarding food service and nutritional programs. They help patients improve their health and control of disease.

What does a nutrition specialist do?

Nutrition specialists are skilled professionals who possess detailed knowledge of foods that are necessary for human health and growth. These specialists are required to provide comprehensive nutrition services to patients who are admitted to community health centers and specialty clinics for medical nutrition therapy. They must create diets and meal plans for patients based on their medical and dietary needs. Nutrition specialists must also organize community outreach efforts and other funded nutrition programs to encourage participation from professionals and lay groups.

Nutritional consultant vs nutrition specialist salary

Nutritional consultants and nutrition specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Nutritional ConsultantNutrition Specialist
Average salary$62,346$53,989
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $125,000Between $34,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyWayne County, MichiganChildren's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industryAgricultureHealth Care

Differences between nutritional consultant and nutrition specialist education

There are a few differences between a nutritional consultant and a nutrition specialist in terms of educational background:

Nutritional ConsultantNutrition Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorFood And NutritionDietetics
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkPennsylvania State University

Nutritional consultant vs nutrition specialist demographics

Here are the differences between nutritional consultants' and nutrition specialists' demographics:

Nutritional ConsultantNutrition Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 22.6% Female, 77.4%Male, 26.5% Female, 73.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 9.1% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between nutritional consultant and nutrition specialist duties and responsibilities

Nutritional consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage the in-store dietitian program providing nutrition education, culinary workshops, food demonstrations, and nutritional assessments.
  • Specialize in weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and lactose intolerance
  • Provide nutrition assessments, counseling and diabetes education to visually impair population individually and in group setting.
  • Ensure compliance to USDA requirements.
  • Conduct BMI and weigh-ins for insurance members during health insurance out reach events.
  • Help clients with food allergies and auto immune disorders to construct a healing diet.
  • Show more

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

Nutritional consultant vs nutrition specialist skills

Common nutritional consultant skills
  • Diabetes, 9%
  • Weight Loss, 7%
  • Nutrition Assessments, 6%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Menu Planning, 5%
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy, 4%
Common nutrition specialist skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • PET, 11%
  • Nutritional Care, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Nutrition Education, 4%
  • Diabetes, 4%

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