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Job outlook for sports nutritionists in the United States
Are sports nutritionist jobs in demand?
Sports nutritionist job and salary trends over time
Sports nutritionist jobs over time
Sports nutritionist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 148 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 148 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 151 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 144 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 140 | 0.00% |
Average sports nutritionist salary over time
Sports nutritionist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,789 | $22.98 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $46,410 | $22.31 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $45,729 | $21.98 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $45,001 | $21.64 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $44,630 | $21.46 | +1.7% |
Sports nutritionist jobs by state
Most common states for sports nutritionists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 48 | 1% |
| 2 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 17 | 1% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 8 | 1% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 7 | 1% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 6 | 1% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 44 | 0% |
| 7 | New York | 19,849,399 | 39 | 0% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 27 | 0% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 26 | 0% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 22 | 0% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 20 | 0% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 10 | 0% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 9 | 0% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 6 | 0% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 5 | 0% |
| 16 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 4 | 0% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 2 | 0% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 2 | 0% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 2 | 0% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for sports nutritionists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port Saint Lucie | 1 | 1% | $43,301 |
Sports Nutritionist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sports nutritionist experts
University of New Mexico
University of Illinois at Chicago
Texas Christian University
Seattle Pacific University
Bowling Green State University
Bakersfield College
California State University - Los Angeles
University of North Florida
Chatham University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Texas Tech University
Western Kentucky University
Texas State University
Grand Valley State University
University of New Mexico
Cornell University
What general advice would you give to a Sports Nutritionist?
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 Sports Nutritionist 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 Sports Nutritionists 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.
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN
Associate ProfessorWhat Sports Nutritionist 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.
What will help Sports Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Elizabeth Smith PhD, R.D., LDN: Tech savvy! We have more nutrition professionals working in telehealth and in remote positions.
Critical thinking- my students hear me discuss the importance of critical thinking almost every day. We talk about personalizing/ individualizing diets and wellness plans to fit the person.
Communication skills- this never goes out of date! Communicate often, be clear, and follow up with your communication.
Shannon Aguilar MS,RD,LD
Assistant Professor of Practice, Didactic Program DirectorWhat will help Sports Nutritionists 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.
Gina Jarman Hill PhD, RD, LD
Department Chair, Associate ProfessorTexas Christian University
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What will help Sports Nutritionists 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.
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz
Didactic Program in Dietetics, DirectorSeattle Pacific University
Foods, Nutrition, And Related Services
What Sports Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz: Nutrition knowledge and care is ever evolving! Keeping on top of new evidence-based practices is incredibly important to stay relevant. Additionally, expanding your technology skills will help better promote you, the profession, and reach out to new audiences.
What will help Sports Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Catalina Vlad-Ortiz: We are in an exciting time in Food and Nutrition as more opportunities will become available than ever before. Be open to exploring various niches in the profession as you never know where that can lead you.
What general advice would you give to a Sports Nutritionist?
Nadine Mikati PhD, RDN, LDN: Seeking opportunities in the field through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions to start. This will help build a strong track record of success and demonstrate proficiency in the field that can position a person to advance and receive higher-paying opportunities in the future. Also, consider pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training to enhance one's qualifications and increase earning potential.
What Sports Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nadine Mikati PhD, RDN, LDN: Effective communication is key when working with clients, patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. Employers seek a well-rounded professional. With the growing use of technology in healthcare, digital literacy will be essential. Dietitians will need to be proficient in using various software platforms to deliver virtual care, track patient progress, and communicate effectively with clients. Hands-on clinical skills will also become more important and prevalent for dietitians in the future. Other essential skills include adaptability to various environments, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
What will help Sports Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Nadine Mikati PhD, RDN, LDN: Be open to trying new things, exploring various aspects of the profession and networking. Often times students have their mind set on one thing and might lose out on potential opportunities. Also, education doesn't stop at graduation. Each dietitian should work on finding their niche in order to set themselves apart from everyone else. Gain as much experience as possible. Seek a mentor that can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights based on their own experiences in the field.
Dr. Carrie Hamady
Chair, Department of Public and Allied Health and Distinguished Teaching ProfessorBowling Green State University
Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services
What Sports Nutritionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Carrie Hamady: There are many opportunities for registered dietitian nutritionists outside of traditional settings, including in supermarkets, telehealth, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness. As an in-demand career, the employment outlook for RDNs is good and growing at a faster-than-average rate compared to other occupations. With a growing interest in and emphasis on health in America, many clients are eager for expert insight and guidance on how they can improve their nutritional status.
Mariafelix Gonzalez
ProfessorBakersfield College
Nutrition department
What skills stand out on Sports Nutritionist resumes?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: I am not sure about Nutritionists, but I find that interpersonal skills and initiative are valued greatly on Dietitian's resumes.
What soft skills should all Sports Nutritionists possess?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: I must say that it goes back to the two skills I mentioned above.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sports Nutritionists?
Mariafelix Gonzalez: Strong knowledge of math and writing skills are most important.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sports Nutritionists?
Dr. Robbi Beyer: In California as in many other states, if you want to be a physical education teacher you will complete an undergraduate degree, typically a Bachelor of Science, and then a single subject, K-12 teaching credential. To increase job prospects, we provide and encourage candidates to have many sequential field-based and practicum opportunities in the public-school environment during their undergraduate studies. We also are one of the only Cal State Universities that provides an inclusive PETE curriculum preparing candidates to teach physical education to all students with and without disabilities. Because of the national focus towards full inclusion, our program not only prepares our candidates as strong general physical educators but affords them an opportunity to also specialize in Adapted Physical Education and obtain an Added Authorization (APEAA). If candidates do have an interest in teaching special populations this significantly changes their prospects of securing a job as an adapted physical educator.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Nutritionists?
Dr. Robbi Beyer: That is a tough question, as it is impossible to determine the individual effect of learning remotely over a year, unless of course a student has reached out for University financial support. Otherwise, there is no way to ascertain the factors that have impacted a student and their life during the pandemic. However, as a department, we have seen little difference during the last year in the progress and success of our candidates going forward to complete their degrees and become physical educators. Although it has not been ideal for them to receive instruction remotely, all faculty have been trained by the Center of Effective Learning (CETL) on campus to deliver content asynchronously and incorporate meaningful application activities to ensure our candidates meet their learning outcomes. We feel confident that they are prepared and at least educationally and professionally will not experience an enduring effect from the Coronavirus.
What will help Sports Nutritionists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robbi Beyer: To move up the salary scale as a teacher you need to continue your education and increase your years of experience. Typically, teachers will pursue an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree (MS) to move up the pay scale and increase their professional knowledge, but it is not a requirement in California. Additionally, teachers who successfully obtain an MS can also pursue employment at a Community College as adjunct faculty or lecturer; however, these types of employment tend to be less permanent than the K-12 public school contract.
Lauri Wright
Chair, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, UNFUniversity of North Florida
Nutrition and Dietetics
What type of skills will young Sports Nutritionists need?
Lauri Wright: The skills most needed by dietitians entering the workforce include critical thinking, communication, ability to translate science to practice, relationship-based care, leadership, ability to work in a team, advocate for patients, and confidence.
What experience really stands out on Sports Nutritionist resumes?
Alice Julier Ph.D.: See above - having an internship or project for an external client where you've demonstrated familiarity with these skills is a great bonus. Having done original research or training helps. Students who work with the Center for Regional Agriculture Food and Transformation or who take Sustainable Consumption can say that they have done project management, teamwork, and helped clients with everything from product development to sustainable sourcing to asset mapping.
What skills stand out on Sports Nutritionist resumes?
Jodie Seybold: For the new dietitian, organizations want to see the field's dedication, whether through work or volunteer experience, taking the initiative through leadership opportunities, and a strong knowledge base through their academics. With the new change coming in 2024, with the dietetics graduate needing to complete both supervised practice/experiential learning and a master's degree to sit for the national registration exam, it is essential for new dietitians entering the field, who have a master's degree already or are working on one, to put that on their resume.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sports Nutritionist job market given the pandemic?
Jodie Seybold: Telehealth is growing, from clinical settings to private practice; organizations have dietitians call patients or clients to educate or counsel them, instead of meeting with them in person.
We will likely see an uptick in wellness programs and personalized nutrition. Extreme obesity is listed as a condition placing people at higher risk of experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of COVID.
Shelley Fillipp
Associate Professor of PracticeTexas Tech University
Department of Nutritional Sciences
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sports Nutritionists in the next 3-5 years?
Shelley Fillipp: This ties in with the above responses. We are already seeing more Podcasts being used by RDN's and Telehealth. Apps for phones for nutrition information, to track food intake, and activity will continue to be popular, I believe.
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Nutritionists in the next 5 years?
Julie Lee: Technology has impacted the hospitality industry significantly in the past year with the Covid pandemic. More restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses have had to develop and improve their online presence. Many restaurants have added online ordering, online payment, and delivery options. Most of these changes will be beneficial in the future, not just now during the pandemic. People are learning to do more things online, and I think they are enjoying the available options and services. I expect to see more integrated and online offerings, marketing, and services in the future.
What experience really stands out on Sports Nutritionist resumes?
Julie Lee: For resumes, the best things are to #1 have relevant experience, particularly managerial expertise or training; #2 the resume should be professional, look good, and highlight the individual student's skills.
Karen Brasfield MS, RD
Didactic Program CoordinatorTexas State University
Nutrition and Foods Program
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sports Nutritionists in the next 3-5 years?
Karen Brasfield MS, RD: All of the MS programs are great to have in your toolbox, the electronic health record, and now with more medical doing telehealth, a good understanding of the various platforms used.
Jennifer Ford
Assistant Professor and Program DirectorGrand Valley State University
Department of Allied Health Sciences, Clinical Dietetics
What experience really stands out on Sports Nutritionist resumes?
Jennifer Ford: Work ethic, communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, and professionalism were demonstrated in previous work or volunteer experiences.
Jean Cerami
Principal Lecturer, Program Coordinator, Director, UNM Dietetic InternshipUniversity of New Mexico
Department of Individual Family Community Education
What type of skills will young Sports Nutritionists need?
Jean Cerami: Computer skills, including Zoom and other virtual learning/teaching/counseling techniques, will need to be perfected in the coming years. Also, it will be necessary to know how to treat, counsel, and educate patients/clients virtually in clinical dietetics. App development will be a growing field in most areas of healthcare.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Nutritionists?
Emili Gier: Graduates of Dietetics programs will likely find that job opportunities have expanded as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Registered Dietitians (RD) are considered essential personnel. RD expertise to manage coronavirus patients on nutrition support, manage the continuation of school lunch services during remote instruction, and address the burgeoning need for food bank services as a result of the pandemic has been critical.
Many Dietetics training programs successfully pivoted to remote instruction and supervised practice. Shifting instruction in this way allowed for continuity in programming and graduating students on time. Opportunities also arose for greater training in telehealth, producing graduates that are better prepared for new ways of delivering medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling.