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Career Profile

Dietitians and Nutritionists

What they do:

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

Also Called:

Clinical Dietician, Clinical Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Oncology Dietitian, Outpatient Dietitian, Registered Dietician, Registered Dietitian, Renal Dietitian, Clinical Dietician, Clinical Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Oncology Dietitian, Outpatient Dietitian, Registered Dietician, Registered Dietitian, Renal Dietitian

CA Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$72,780
Starting Salary (2025)
$98,850
Median Salary (2025)
5.5%
Projected Job Growth
8,720
CA Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Concern for Others
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Analytical Thinking

What key skills are needed for this job?

Social Perceptiveness
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking

Expected Knowledge

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 5

Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Post-baccalaureate certificate 53%
  • Master's degree 33%
  • Bachelor's degree 10%
  • Associate's degree 3%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Dietetic Technicians
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nurse Practitioners

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.