Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for public health dietitians in the United States
Are public health dietitian jobs in demand?
Public health dietitian job and salary trends over time
Public health dietitian jobs over time
Public health dietitian job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 618 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 615 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 627 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 599 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 584 | 0.00% |
Average public health dietitian salary over time
Public health dietitian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60,855 | $29.26 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $59,100 | $28.41 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $58,231 | $28.00 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $57,305 | $27.55 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $56,833 | $27.32 | +1.7% |
Public health dietitian jobs by state
Most common states for public health dietitians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 237 | 34% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 125 | 20% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,124 | 16% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,047 | 16% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 864 | 15% |
| 6 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 691 | 14% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 122 | 13% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 75 | 13% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,261 | 12% |
| 10 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 837 | 12% |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 717 | 12% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 393 | 12% |
| 13 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 363 | 12% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 206 | 12% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 130 | 12% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 104 | 12% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 90 | 12% |
| 18 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,303 | 11% |
| 19 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 786 | 11% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 656 | 11% |
Most common cities for public health dietitians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenacres | 1 | 2% | $45,944 |
| 2 | Sanford | 1 | 2% | $45,959 |
| 3 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $46,494 |
| 4 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $67,496 |
| 5 | Clearwater | 1 | 1% | $46,449 |
| 6 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $45,919 |
| 7 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $45,856 |
| 8 | Kissimmee | 1 | 1% | $46,136 |
| 9 | Waukegan | 1 | 1% | $52,908 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $52,444 |
| 11 | Fayetteville | 1 | 0% | $55,941 |
| 12 | Long Beach | 1 | 0% | $72,988 |
| 13 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $82,248 |
| 14 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $46,390 |
Public Health Dietitian job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of public health dietitian experts
University of Northern Colorado
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Rhode Island
University of New Mexico
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Utah State University
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Georgia
Michigan State University
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Texas Christian University
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Dr. Kerry Smith: The field of Nutrition Science has the potential to be quite lucrative. Those with a degree in Nutrition Science can additionally move into Dietetics and become a Registered Dietician or Registered Sports Dietician. The Sport careers are becoming more robust in the college setting following the NCAA changes regarding to fueling stations a little over a decade ago. Additionally, working in private practice providing nutritional services allows for job flexibility and autonomy. By working in a private practice there are opportunities to offer additional services that are unavailable through standard insurance coverages making your business more marketable and profitable.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kerry Smith: I think having a foundational knowledge of nutrition is imperative in the field. It might sound simple, but it’s no different than physical therapy. In physical therapy, you need to have the foundational knowledge of anatomy in order to progress to other areas. Understanding the foundational ideas in nutrition are imperative and fundamental. From there, staying up to date with the trends in the industry. Currently, we are seeing a rise in weight loss drugs among Americans over the last few years. Additionally, the field is dynamic with constant new quick-fix concepts on how to lose weight or diet. Being able to counsel clientele on the benefits and risks of a constant-evolving field is imperative to being successful. Finally, understanding the emotional and physiological stress food can have on people. Simply counseling a client on solely food and not discussing the emotional connection or addictive tendencies is a disservice to the client and the industry. Clinicians should be constantly looking for ways to strengthen these areas to better serve their clientele and become better informed.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kerry Smith: The world of nutritional science is constantly evolving. Last month was keto diets, then it was intermittent fasting, and now it’s weight loss drugs. It is imperative to stay up to date in the industry by consuming scholarly research and continuing educational endeavors. The field of nutrition is built upon trust and understanding of current trends and general nutrition. Establishing clear understanding in these areas establishes confidence in your intellect and your ability to counsel. I would also advise new graduates to take any opportunities that are presented. When graduating, so many students think with tunnel vision and believe one way is the only route they want to travel. Be open to new opportunities, whether it be in work environments (hospital v. school settings) or demographics (adolescents v. athletes), it will only make you a stronger clinician. This was the best advice I personally ever received and am so grateful to have been given those words since they led me to where I am today.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Dr. Michelle Johnson PhD, RDN, LDN: The day-to-day function of a registered dietitian can be very different, depending on the type of practice you engage in. We have three main domains of practice: Clinical, Community, and Foodservice, and there is a great deal of variety within these domains. Every program, and every dietitian has a unique perspective on what they enjoy about the field (this is a great thing!). At ETSU, our program focus is Clinical (whether that be inpatient or outpatient settings). One of things I love about being a clinical dietitian is that no two days are alike. Each patient is unique, and I rarely have a day where I am not learning something new. Providing medical nutrition therapy can include all age groups, or you can specialize in an area of practice including obesity and weight management, geriatrics, pediatrics, sport nutrition, oncology, renal and critical care.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Michelle Johnson PhD, RDN, LDN: The field of Dietetics is a great field to enter as it is ever-growing (estimates are 7% growth from 2021-2031), and there are so many career paths to choose from. There are always jobs available. In addition to more traditional health care roles, registered dietitians may choose to become managers of foodservice operations, strive to improve the health of the public through community nutrition efforts, corporate wellness, engage in research, assist with the development of novel food products, work in media and communications, support athletic teams, and even continue in academia to develop future practitioners. There is also flexibility to engage in more than one of these paths over a career, and many dietitians do.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michelle Johnson PhD, RDN, LDN: As in any field, there are aspects that are positive and negative. While the academic road to becoming an RDN can be challenging, its science-based curriculum provides a foundation that supports decision-making skills that are valued by other practitioners. Many of our graduates have gone on to work in facilities with other dietitians and interprofessional teams, and this environment provides a sense of contribution and comradery that are rewarding. Most companies allow growth and compensation that increases over time. It is possible to specialize as well and offered career ladders. Our field has a great deal of flexibility, and many home-based opportunities. Most positions include traditional hours, and the opportunity for growth. Starting salaries vary by location and responsibility so this can be a challenge in deciding what position to pursue.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Anne Burdine MS, RDN, LDN: Do your homework ahead of time on the going rate in your geographic area and particular area of practice. Even though you are entry level, you do not have to take the first offer that is given to you. Negotiating can be intimidating, but practicing ahead of time with a friend or family member who has experience in the work force can help significantly. When negotiating, don’t forget about job benefits such as tuition remission, paid time off, money towards continuing education, etc. These can go a long way towards job satisfaction. Tuition remission and continuing education also give you opportunities to advance your skills and climb the career ladder. A lower salary with a clear path (and definitive timeline) for advancement is sometimes better than a higher salary with no advancement potential.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anne Burdine MS, RDN, LDN: Keep an open mind! Don’t be afraid to say yes to a job that isn’t necessarily your final long-term goal. You never know what doors a job will open and what skills you may pick up along the way. You are not locked in- the field of dietetics is wide, and most dietitians go through several areas in dietetics before finding a more “permanent” landing place. You are never stuck. It’s okay to leave a situation that ultimately isn’t a good fit- but a good general rule of thumb is to give a job 6 months before making any true assessments of if you like it or not. Being the newbie can be hard. I’ve wanted to quit many a job within the first few weeks, but then ended up staying for years and loving it! Also, do not be afraid to say “yes” when trainings and opportunities present themselves (or seek these out when a need arises). Get trained in hands-on skills, advance your degree, conduct research when the opportunity arises- all of these will help to set you apart as a leader.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Anne Burdine MS, RDN, LDN: The hands-on clinical skills will set us apart from other nutrition professionals who do not hold the registered dietitian credential. Being able to physically assess someone’s nutrition status, uncover and treat malnutrition, and even place NG tubes are all skills that can help secure our spot in the healthcare arena. With the master’s mandate for new graduates, research skills should be more prevalent in new RDNs. Honing your research skills is incredibly important as it can contribute to career advancement as well as the advancement of the profession and patient care.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Dr. Stephanie Fanelli PhD, RDN: As of early 2024, a graduate degree is now an entry-level requirement for registered dietitians. This means that all future dietitians will have at least a master's degree, inherently increasing the baseline expertise of entry-level dietitians in the United States. Dietitians with a graduate degree should advocate for a higher salary compensatory with this additional education. Many graduate programs prepare students to become experts in research and clinical practice, which further strengthens dietitians' contributions to a huge variety of work settings and organizations. Compensation and professional reward may also come in other forms than just salary. For instance, many organizations may pay for preexisting dietitians without a graduate degree to go back to school to earn a master's degree. This investment in dietitians not only helps to bolster the strength of the organization itself, but it also prepares its dietitians to excel in the field, assume leadership roles, and maximize their salary potential. The healthcare landscape in the United States is evolving to adopt the value-based healthcare model in which cost-effective services are rewarded as opposed to less effective yet costly clinical interventions. Medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education delivered by registered dietitians has proven to be clinically effective and cost-efficient time and time again, and emphasis on disease prevention and lifestyle change is becoming more apparent. Clinical dietitians should monitor their impact on patient outcomes, which may save healthcare organizations, insurance agencies, and individual patients a considerable amount of money over time. By quantifying their clinical and economic effect, dietitians can advocate for their direct contributions to their company and negotiate their compensation. Dietitians may consider collaborating with faculty and researchers at universities to better evaluate their effectiveness.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephanie Fanelli PhD, RDN: The field of nutrition and dietetics is so broad, with roles for dietitians in a vast array of industries, clinical and non-clinical settings, and non-profit and government avenues, among many others. Nutrition and dietetics professionals should be open to trying out new roles in a variety of different work settings to explore their own interests and strengths. Ask questions, learn from your peers and colleagues, and speak up when you have an idea or disagree with current practices; As a recent graduate beginning your career, you may not have as much practical experience as your colleagues, but you may be more familiar with the most up-to-date evidence-based practices and recommendations. Become involved in various levels of the field ranging from local or organizational to regional, national, and even international levels, such as membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Society for Nutrition, or the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Over time, your involvement in the field will morph into meaningful professional relationships and career opportunities. Develop an approach for staying up-to-date on the latest evidence and recommendations in nutrition and dietetics. The field is evidence-based, meaning that clinical guidelines or practice recommendations are always evolving to reflect most recent research. Identify key resources for finding updated information and staying in-the-know with nutrition research.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Fanelli PhD, RDN: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the use of telehealth, and the role of telenutrition will continue to expand over the next 3 to 5 years. Telenutrition is the virtual delivery of evidence-based nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian, and can make dietitians more accessible to many people across the United States. Dietitians and nutrition experts will need to master these virtual skills so that they can deliver high-quality nutrition counseling sessions that are traditionally done in-person. Nutrition misinformation is rapidly being spread across social media platforms. Many social media influencers cherry-pick nutrition research studies and inaccurately interpret their findings, which ultimately threatens the safety and wellbeing of millions of social media users. Nutrition and dietetics professionals should learn how to accurately and rigorously evaluate and critically appraise nutrition research so that they can correct this nutrition misinformation and serve as a reputable source of evidence-based information. Graduate school prepares nutrition and dietetics students to be able to critically appraise nutrition research, and hopefully the new entry-level graduate degree requirement for dietitians will lead to greater scientific accuracy and less nutrition misinformation being spread across social media channels.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Shayna Oshita PhD RD LDN CDCES: More emphasis on soft skills and specialty areas of dietetics such as nutrigenomics, and functional nutrition is likely to occur. Chronic disease management will continue to be needed.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shayna Oshita PhD RD LDN CDCES: We encourage them to be open minded and try different experiences. We remind them of the connections they have made so far and how to foster them to help their future goals.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Shayna Oshita PhD RD LDN CDCES: We have a salary negotiation seminar that discussed the importance of doing a proper assessment of themselves, how to research salary ranges, and how to negotiate for what they want/deserve.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Sarah Larson MS, RD, LDN: There are many, many career paths for Registered Dietitians, so each day will vary depending on the position. For example, an RD in a clinical setting (such as a hospital) may start their day by checking in on patient charts, attending multidisciplinary rounds, then developing nutrition care plans and deliver nutrition education to patients, provide recommendations for nutrition plans to the care team, and end the day with charting on their patients. An outpatient RD could see 2-10 patients in a day and their diagnoses can vary from high cholesterol to irritable bowel syndrome to food allergies and everything in between.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah Larson MS, RD, LDN: People have never been more interested in food and wellness than they are now. There is an increasing need for nutrition professionals that are providing evidence-based information for optimal health. There is a lot of nutrition misinformation and RDs can work with patients/clients to debunk fallacies and customize advice to each person.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Peter Pribis DrPH, MD, RDN, FAND: First of all, it is now required that dietitians have a master's degree, meaning that if you would like to work in a hospital setting and you only have a bachelor's degree, your chances of getting employment are smaller. Secondly, there are a lot of possibilities provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for continuing education, so you can, for example, become certified as a Diabetes Educator or a Weight Management Educator and so on. Use all these opportunities. The more education you have, the better you can take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Pribis DrPH, MD, RDN, FAND: There is presently a great need for dietitians. It is probably a combination of two things: people retire, and in the last few years, we have seen falling numbers of students interested in studying nutrition and dietetics. Because of this, presently, I am receiving a lot of emails with offers from universities, hospitals, and food service companies, who are looking for dietitians. Being a dietitian is a very versatile job. You can work in clinical nutrition, meaning that you can work in a hospital with people who have diabetes, weight management issues, and eating disorders. You can work in critical care, pediatrics, and long-term care. You can also work in outpatient clinics, rehabilitation, and food management as director of food and nutrition services. You can work as a community and public health nutritionist. For example, you can work as a coordinator for nutrition health programs, as a health nutritionist, or as a nutritionist you can work for nonprofit organizations. You can also work in education and research, and lastly, you can work as a consultant for food and nutrition companies. You can work as a journal editor. You can work as a spokesman for a food company. You can be a sports nutritionist, and I don’t think that I have listed all the possibilities of how you can actually use your dietetics education. Dietetics is a profoundly rewarding profession as it allows you to make a tangible difference in people's lives. The satisfaction of seeing your efforts translate into positive health outcomes for your clients is unparalleled.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Peter Pribis DrPH, MD, RDN, FAND: I think the greatest skill that will become increasingly important is flexibility. Be prepared to work face-to-face and online via Zoom. Be innovative and creative. Be aware of our fast-changing world and be ready to apply your knowledge and education in every possible way.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Pinkin Panchal MS, RDN: Due to the high demand for RDNs in various settings and the recent advanced education requirements, new practitioners can remain competitive through salary negotiation and sign on bonuses for entry level positions. As you become an experienced practitioner, acquiring advanced level certifications through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) in focus practice area will enhance expertise as well as obtaining leadership positions in the field.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Pinkin Panchal MS, RDN: Analytical skills and critical thinking are key to being an effective registered dietitian! As the food and nutrition expert, the registered dietitian must possess strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to implement evidence-based practice. Dietitians must also exhibit interpersonal communication skills as they are commonly interacting with different audiences.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Pinkin Panchal MS, RDN: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) jobs are in high demand due to the current health crisis as more patients are facing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for registered dietitians and nutritionists will increase by 11% between 2018 and 2028. There are numerous opportunities for registered dietitians to provide medical nutrition therapy within different settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, higher education, and school nutrition as well as state and federal government related positions. As the program director responsible for the education of entry level RDNs, I encourage my graduates to pursue opportunities that they are passionate about as they begin their professional careers. There are so many diverse roles and positions within the field of food and nutrition that an RDN is well equipped for!
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maureen McCoy MS RD: Don’t be afraid to negotiate! Often when we start our careers we are just happy to get a job offer, but know that you are valuable and you can ask for more. Do your research on the job market and see what average salaries are in that particular position. Consider the education and experiences that you have had that could increase that base salary offer.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Maureen McCoy MS RD: An understanding of how climate change is affecting the food that people eat will be valuable in the future. Help consumers modify their diets to minimize their carbon footprint. Creative solutions to change the trajectory of chronic disease – we have tried to change how people eat and that hasn’t always worked – how can we nudge consumers in the direction of better health? Need an understanding of the technology that is now available to us and how we can harness its power for improved health outcomes.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Dr. Lacie Peterson PhD, RDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, FAND: To optimize your earning potential in the field, developing and using negotiation skills that effectively convey your value to prospective employers is crucial. Many employers may underestimate or not understand the breadth of what you bring to the table.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Lacie Peterson PhD, RDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, FAND: When considering a career in dietetics, early engagement with practicing professionals is important to learn more about career options. Seek opportunities to connect with dietitians during your academic journey and embrace networking to build relationships within the field.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Lacie Peterson PhD, RDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, FAND: Looking ahead, the landscape of dietetics is evolving, emphasizing the importance of expanding clinical skills as well as leadership skills.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Kirsten Straughan MS, RD, CSSD: Communication and collaboration skills are critical. All nutrition students have similar content due to our accreditation, but being able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and collaborate with other disciplines will allow you to be much more impactful in your job. The future of nutrition is also very exciting, and I see areas of growth in applying knowledge about the microbiome and in the area of nutrigenetics.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kirsten Straughan MS, RD, CSSD: If your internship doesn’t include a seminar on salary negotiations, seek out resources to empower you with the skills to negotiate your first position. Don’t lose sight of the extensive education and training that you have had.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Kirsten Straughan MS, RD, CSSD: Take advantage of the dietetic internship rotations to explore different areas of dietetics. Remember that you are essentially on a very long job interview…many of our graduates are hired out of their internships.
Emma Laing PhD, RDN, FAND
Clinical ProfessorUniversity of Georgia
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Emma Laing PhD, RDN, FAND: Pursue trainings and seek advice from mentors about effective interviewing and negotiating skills. Always negotiate – if a higher salary cannot be granted, then negotiate for updated software or equipment, moving expenses, or job-related perks. Take chances and apply for jobs that you might not necessarily feel qualified for. Persistence is key. If you do not receive the job offer you were hoping, harness your disappointment and use it to keep applying to other positions. Say ‘yes’ to partnerships in or outside of dietetics that align with your values. There are many ways to leverage your expertise in freelance work, e.g., public speaking, consulting, tutoring, marketing, developing recipes, partnering with brands, as well as writing, editing, and publishing in media spaces. Many RDNs operate part-time or full-time private practices or offer online courses for both clients and other professionals, and these can be quite lucrative.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emma Laing PhD, RDN, FAND: Believe in yourself and your abilities. Even with rigorous education, new graduates can suffer from imposter syndrome. Dietetics is a challenging STEM major within nationally-accredited undergraduate programs. New registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) not only have formal training in STEM, but they also have a minimum of a master’s degree and approximately 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience before they can become credentialed and licensed to practice. Being confident in what you know and taking advantage of continuing education opportunities will help squash feelings of insecurity. One of the best ways to pursue continuing education is to attend conferences in order to expand both your knowledge and your professional network. Our field is relatively small, so it’s important to get to know as many practitioners as you can in both in and outside of dietetics.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Emma Laing PhD, RDN, FAND: In the next 3-5 years, it will become more imperative than ever to prioritize social determinants of health and acknowledge your implicit biases in order to provide the best care to your patients and clients. While you should be confident in your abilities, it’s impossible to know the answer to every question. Admit when you do not have the answer and then refer to evidence-based resources or consult with coworkers, colleagues, and other experts in the field in order to find it. Use motivational interviewing techniques to involve your patients in decision making and become familiar with a variety of counseling methods that you can add to your toolbox. Seek feedback regularly and be open to accepting suggestions and improving your skills. You’re never too advanced in your career to seek additional training and supervision. Remember that healthcare is a team sport, and leaning on your coworkers and building relationships with other members of the care team will foster respect and collaboration. Offer to be a preceptor to the next generation of dietitians. There is a lot of satisfaction in mentoring others, and it might surprise you how much you can learn from them as well.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Jill DeJager MPH, RDN: As graduates enter the field of dietetics, it is advantageous to have some motivational interviewing experience and be intentional about further honing motivational interviewing skills in their new position. This is especially important for dietitians who will be providing nutrition education and medical nutrition therapy, but strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential for all areas of dietetics. Cultural competence is also a priority. Finally, don’t worry if your first job after passing the RD/RDN exam is not your dream job. Make sure you are networking and building strong connections with other dietitians and health care professionals wherever you are.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jill DeJager MPH, RDN: Cultural competence and strong communication skills will continue to be important in the field of dietetics. Being knowledgeable about the eating patterns and customs of cultures other than your own can help customize meal plans and dietary advice in a way that honors individual preferences. Additionally, having motivational interviewing skills and the ability to effectively communicate valuable nutrition information will be crucial for dietitians in the next 3-5 years.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Jill DeJager MPH, RDN: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in dietetics, it is important to be familiar with salaries in the area and have realistic expectations for negotiation during the hiring process. Taking advantage of retirement contributions and continuing education funds for conferences and seminars can also help. Additionally, standing out as a reliable and positive team member, expanding skill sets through volunteering for public speaking or new projects, and demonstrating leadership skills can contribute to maximizing salary potential.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Dinah Dalder: Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills will continue to be important. RDNs will need to continue to be self-motivated and adaptable as new information and technologies are always expected in the food and nutrition field.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dinah Dalder: Be prepared with questions about benefits and salary when interviewing for a position. When evaluating an offer be sure to evaluate benefits as well as the salary and don't be afraid to ask for more if the offer does not meet your expectations. Be ready to negotiate as part of the hiring process.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Dinah Dalder: I suggest students keep track of the names and contact information of RDNs and other food and nutrition professionals that they meet and stay in touch while in school. Having a network is a great way to find that first job and jobs in the future.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Catherine Palmer: We have an aging population, and the field of dietetics will continue to grow. As more people take control of their health and become interested in nutrition and its impact on health, disease prevention, and management, more and more people will seek the expertise of an RDN.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Catherine Palmer: One of the great things about becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is that there are endless opportunities for what one can do with their degree. RDNs work in various settings within healthcare, public health and community, private practice, government, research, and education. While RDNs are medical professionals, they are not limited to working in clinical areas. One dietitian may work in the hospital providing medical nutrition therapy, while another may provide 1:1 nutrition counseling to someone with an eating disorder. Another RDN may work with a professional sports team, while another works to create recipes for a major food company. One dietitian may work in school nutrition, while another may be a researcher at a university. With endless options as an RDN, it’s impossible to outline a standard typical day.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Catherine Palmer: RDNs enjoy having a vast array of career opportunities from which to choose. The possibilities are endless! RDNs make a difference in the lives and health of others. The frustration of being a dietitian is constantly having to combat the self-proclaimed “nutrition experts.” RDNs have a master’s degree, have completed 1000 hours of experiential training/internship, and have passed a credentialing exam. RDNs are the nutrition experts.
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD
Assistant Professor of Practice, Didactic Program DirectorWhat Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Be sure to highlight other skills/experience/volunteer work related to nutrition field, such as positions held in student and/or professional nutrition organizations. Explaining what the job responsibilities were and valuing your worth, but understand you still need to gain experience before reaching maximum salary allowance for the job position. If you weren't a member of professional organization, become one and volunteer in your community in positions related to nutrition such as local food bank or other health-related organizations. Continued education in nutrition related topics, which is already an RD requirement, can also help highlight your knowledge for salary potential. Also, any unique skills such as expert in certain social media platforms or other experience not all dietitians have such as IT.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Nutrition is constantly changing so staying up to date with current trends, nutrigenomics, food insecurity/food sustainability, social media basics if pursuing consulting field, and cooking skills/classes to engage your patients/clients for real-world skills.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Learn from each job and take something with you as you grow your skills, knowledge, and experience. Don't be upset/discouraged if you don't get the perfect job first. Eventually, you will learn your strengths and areas of interest may change during your career. Think outside the box and there are so many opportunities for dietitian's that you may not think of so collaborating with other dietitian's through professional organizations like eatrigh.org and/or your state affiliation organization and dietetic practice groups (DPG's) in your area of interest.
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN
Associate ProfessorWhat Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN: Be willing to say yes and try something new. It may seem challenging or out of your comfort zone but until you try you don't know if it is the right position for you.
Negotiate your salary based on your prior experiences. Your experiences may be in a different area but show how the skills you learned can be transferable to your nutrition career/ position. Sell yourself but being enthusiast and willing to go above and beyond to meet the companies' goals and mission.
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD
Assistant Professor of Practice, Didactic Program DirectorWhat general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Use the knowledge and skills learned in undergraduate school/experience and be flexible when searching for jobs. For example, be willing to relocate if able if there isn’t a job in your area. Don’t just use salary for your final decision in accepting a job. You need to look at benefits packages such as 401K, insurance coverage and cost, matched savings option, vacation time/paid-time off/holidays when making your decision about job placement.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Critical thinking skills are very important in this field as well as culinary medicine, integrative nutrition and how to teach people realistic skills in improving their health and making sure to consider person’s culture when giving dietary recommendations. Knowledge and experience in food insecurity and food sustainability issues and how it impacts your local community. Marketing skills and experience in current technology platforms used to promote various nutrition topics as well consulting business, when applicable.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD: Be sure to highlight other skills/experience/volunteer work related to nutrition field, such as positions held in student and/or professional nutrition organizations. Explaining what the job responsibilities were and valuing your worth, but understand you still need to gain experience before reaching maximum salary allowance for the job position. If you weren’t a member of professional organization, become one and volunteer in your community in positions related to nutrition such as local food bank or other health-related organizations. Continued education in nutrition related topics, which is already an RD requirement, can also help highlight your knowledge for salary potential. Also, any unique skills such as expert in certain social media platforms or other experience not all dietitians have such as IT.
Tara Kelly MS, RDN
InstructorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Tara Kelly MS, RDN: For starters, apply to the job. Even if you're worried that you don't meet every qualification listed it is absolutely worth applying to any job you're interested in, because you'll never know if you're the employers ideal candidate unless you try. There are ample specialty trainings and certifications you can enroll in as a graduate to continue refining your expertise, make yourself more marketable, and increase your earning potential. You can also do this by continuing your education to earn an advanced degree or other specialty education to help you in your profession. These may not be dietetics-specific, but skills like being able to do statistics or speak a foreign language could help in certain job settings. If you're not sure where to start with this, look at those job postings that you currently don't think you qualify for and take note of the qualifications on the listing that you feel you're lacking. Are any of these skills that you can learn to make yourself a more qualified applicant for jobs like this and others like it?
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tara Kelly MS, RDN: Being able to effectively communicate nutrition information to consumers from all backgrounds and walks of life is a skill I believe will always be important in this field. As a society we are also growing accustomed to getting information quickly and in smaller doses (think, social media!), so being able to communicate important, science-based nutrition information in brief, concise ways is a very important skill today and I believe will be even more important in the years to come. Additionally, the personalized approach to nutrition care is only going to continue to become more and more important in the coming years. There's a growing, societal interest in being more mindful of our health and the foods we consume to nourish ourselves, and, with this, I believe many more people will proactively seek guidance from professionals to best meet their unique nutritional needs.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Tara Kelly MS, RDN: There's still so much to learn as a new graduate, and one of the best ways I think graduates can continue to learn as early career professionals is by networking with and learning from others in the profession. You can even begin doing this before you graduate! Networking is a great way to get to know others in the profession and learn more about the field in general, including different types of dietetics jobs you may have never considered before. Plus, you never know what unique opportunities networking may lead to. There's still so much to learn as a new graduate, so don't be afraid to seek out connections, ask questions, and continue learning.
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD
Department Chair, Associate ProfessorTexas Christian University
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Dietitian?
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD: Communication skills have always been important and will continue to be important. It is necessary that we are able to communicate with individuals of various ages, cultures, ethnicities and work to provide all of our patients or clients with the best care and product. I am not sure how AI will influence dietetics and healthcare, but I imagine that we will see changes in all professions as AI continues to grow. It is important that nutrition professionals are a ready sources of science-backed and evidence based information that the public is able to count on, so knowing how to access that information, decipher it and communicate it to the public accurately and in a way that is helpful will continue to be paramount.
What Public Health Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD: I have a few pieces of general advice for a new graduate. Be open to possibilities. If you have the opportunity to take on additional roles or projects in your job or in volunteer areas, don't let fear of failure cause you to say no. The connections that you make and the knowledge and experiences that are gained from doing new and different things can result in enormous opportunities down the road that you can't possibly foresee. In addition, consider what your long term goals are and start seeking out education and opportunities to learn in those areas. For example, a new graduate may be interested in an area that they don't have the opportunity to work with in the current job, but may be able to learn more about through volunteering in the community or seeking out independent study that can help prepare them to step up when the opportunities do present themselves. Make sure that you do your best each day at your job so that your colleagues know that you are trustworthy, knowledgeable, have integrity and a good work ethic. Lastly, it can be easy for new graduates to feel intimidated, but your education and experiences have prepared you. Introduce yourself to others that you work with, even if it makes you nervous and be the kind of co-worker that you'd like to work with. Show initiative in your work and volunteer endeavors.
What will help Public Health Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD: I would recommend to negotiate starting salary. Individuals can research to determine what the starting salaries are in the work sites and locations they are applying and make sure that they are advocating for a good starting salary, while also being realistic. Learn if there are opportunities to earn additional money by earning additional certifications and work towards those.