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Job outlook for research dietitians in the United States
Are research dietitian jobs in demand?
Research dietitian job and salary trends over time
Research dietitian jobs over time
Research dietitian job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 250 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 248 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 253 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 242 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 236 | 0.00% |
Average research dietitian salary over time
Research dietitian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,712 | $27.75 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $56,047 | $26.95 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $55,224 | $26.55 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $54,345 | $26.13 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $53,897 | $25.91 | +1.7% |
Research dietitian jobs by state
Most common states for research dietitians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 105 | 17% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 203 | 15% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 164 | 15% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 577 | 14% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 121 | 14% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 736 | 13% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 123 | 13% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 154 | 12% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,429 | 11% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 630 | 11% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 217 | 11% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,051 | 10% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 944 | 10% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 844 | 10% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 690 | 10% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 309 | 10% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 214 | 10% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 100 | 10% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 79 | 10% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 59 | 10% |
Most common cities for research dietitians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $67,497 |
Research Dietitian job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research dietitian experts
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Marywood University
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Connecticut
Kansas State University
University of Akron
Tara Kelly MS, RDN
InstructorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What general advice would you give to a Research 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 will help Research 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.
Micheline Orlowsky
Clinical Coordinator for the Dietetic InternshipMarywood University
Nutrition & Dietetics Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Dietitians?
Micheline Orlowsky: Management and analytical skills, critical thinking, marketing skills.
Samantha Coogan
Director, Didactic Program in Nutrition & Dietetics / Lecturer, Undergraduate Coordinator, Nutrition SciencesUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
School of Integrated Health Sciences
What Research Dietitian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Samantha Coogan: - Emotional intelligence, Critical thinking, Empathy, Ability to use/adapt to technology. These skills are important now and will continue to be in the future. Professionals need to decipher fact from fiction and navigate new technologies like AI and telehealth.
Ellen Shanley
Dietetics DirectorUniversity of Connecticut
Deptartment of Allied Health Sciences
What soft skills should all Research Dietitians possess?
Ellen Shanley: I see flexibility and adaptability as number 1. We know that life can change in a moment and we all need to be poised to flexible. Interpersonal skills are always important. Everyone has some much more on their plates today and many people are feeling the stress. We need to be able to empathize with all. Problem solving is another one. We need to be sure we can think critically and come up solution for issues in the workplace.
What's a day at work look like for a Research Dietitian?
Ellen Shanley: Individuals working in clinical positions in hospitals and long-term care facilities will continue to be face-to-face in the work environment and most likely will not be able to do nutrition focused physical exams by touching patients but will need to do more visual assessments. I believe we will continue to telehealth in many outpatient settings. I have students going into school nutrition jobs and I see them needing to be very flexible and creative in all they do!
Kevin Sauer Ph.D.
ProfessorKansas State University
Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Research Dietitians?
Kevin Sauer Ph.D.: Most likely. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RNDs) are essential members of health care teams and provide specialized nutrition care for patients. Treatments for COVID-19 include screening for nutritional deficiencies and formulating individual nutritional plans. People with serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for developing more serious and potentially long-term complications from COVID-19 and RDNs have increased their capacity to provide nutritional care directly within medical centers and also through telehealth, to reach the most vulnerable clients. Indeed, all organizations are changing and will continue to change their structures and essentially, how they conduct business in the short and long-term due to the impacts of the pandemic. Graduates who monitor and adapt to the ever-changing organizations, and bring solutions under these conditions, will thrive the most.
What soft skills should all Research Dietitians possess?
Kevin Sauer Ph.D.: The traditional collection of commonly known soft skills will remain essential - communication, teamwork, flexibility, critical thinking and so forth. So, I recommend some additional humility skills. First, saying thank you and showing gratitude with sincerity in a vital skill. Giving credit where credit is due, especially when one is gaining from the hard work and thought of others. This fosters teamwork and trust, especially under stressful conditions. Third, practice forming an authentic and genuine apology, since it will be necessary at one point or another. Finally, maintaining systems-thinking and forming solutions around root causes of problems will advance graduates along their career paths.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Dietitians?
Kevin Sauer Ph.D.: Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are THE food and nutrition experts who have met rigorous qualifications to earn the credentials. The RD credential indicates to employers and the public that a practitioner has completed minimum educational requirements at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All coursework is essential and includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems, business, and science courses. RDNs have also completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice, passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
What will help Research Dietitians increase their earning potential?
Leann Schaeffer: Regardless of what area you are working in for your first RDN position it is extremely important to network with other RDNs in the community and in the profession. Building a network of fellow RDNs is beneficial in sharing best practices, job opportunities, and supporting our profession.