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Registered dietitian vs sports nutritionist

The differences between registered dietitians and sports nutritionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a registered dietitian and a sports nutritionist. Additionally, a registered dietitian has an average salary of $58,227, which is higher than the $47,789 average annual salary of a sports nutritionist.

The top three skills for a registered dietitian include patients, patient care and home health. The most important skills for a sports nutritionist are student athletes, sports nutrition, and athletic performance.

Registered dietitian vs sports nutritionist overview

Registered DietitianSports Nutritionist
Yearly salary$58,227$47,789
Hourly rate$27.99$22.98
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs6,1441,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Registered dietitian vs sports nutritionist salary

Registered dietitians and sports nutritionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered DietitianSports Nutritionist
Average salary$58,227$47,789
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $78,000Between $30,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyCVS Health-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between registered dietitian and sports nutritionist education

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

Registered DietitianSports Nutritionist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorDieteticsDietetics
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkPennsylvania State University

Registered dietitian vs sports nutritionist demographics

Here are the differences between registered dietitians' and sports nutritionists' demographics:

Registered DietitianSports Nutritionist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 7.9% Female, 92.1%Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 10.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between registered dietitian and sports nutritionist duties and responsibilities

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

Sports nutritionist example responsibilities.

  • Inspire patients to proactively manage their diabetes, to include administering insulin and taking prescribe medications.
  • Formulate individualized nutrition care plans, monitor progress, and adjust goal-oriented interventions as appropriate for patients in an outpatient setting.
  • Assess members BMI and body fat.
  • Provide motivational coaching and emotional support to clientele.

Registered dietitian vs sports nutritionist skills

Common registered dietitian skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy, 6%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
Common sports nutritionist skills
  • Student Athletes, 47%
  • Sports Nutrition, 17%
  • Athletic Performance, 14%
  • Weight Management, 11%
  • Individual Nutrition, 6%
  • Soccer, 6%

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