How to Become a Nutritionist
Overview & Salaries
Recommended Degree:
The right degree for you depends on the industry and company you apply for. Those looking for an entry positions are likely to need a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, health, wellness or health education along with real world experience through a part-time job or internship. Some states may also require a specific license to become a nutritionist. If you are looking to get into a competitive or advance position, then a master’s degree in health, wellness, health education or nutrition can be useful in helping you stand out during the hiring process. Learn more by clicking our “Education Required” tab up top.
Start your career path today by signing up for free information from one of our accredited colleges below that offer programs to help get you started as a nutritionist.
How Much Does a Nutritionist Make?
$55,420. (national median salary, to view salaries in your state click on the “Best Places to Work” tab up top)
Expected growth from 2012-2020:
+14,200 additional people employed
Specialization Options:
Pediatrics, sports nutrition, clinical nutrition, and management.
(all information above provided by the 2012 BLS)
Discover the Best Places to Become a Nutritionist
California currently tops the list of organizations offering employment to those in the nutritionist field, with over 7,000 positions, also offering the highest wages of any state at a mean wage of $71,870 annually. New York and Texas also have high job availability, and comparable wages in the career, falling in the mid to high $50,000 range for those employed in nutrition.
While nutritionists work in many settings – hospitals, school cafeterias, and nursing homes, among many others, many are also self-employed and cater to multiple audiences including individuals as well as consulting for companies trying to create healthier work forces.
Employment and Salary Information by State for Nutritionists
Use our interactive map below to find out which areas of the United States are currently experiencing the greatest amount of growth and job availability for graduates looking for a career in Nutrition. All data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a highly credible government agency.
Employment and Information Data for Nutritionist
Why Become a Nutritionist
The nutritional health industry is more than just vitamins these days. In fact, in recent years we have seen a sharp increase in the awareness of healthy eating and its relationship to wellness. And this includes understanding that proper diets have the ability to prevent conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. In the coming years as the population continues to age and food production and the mass manufacture of it evolves, the need for nutritional health experts will increase.
Recommended Courses to Help You Become a Nutritionist
- General Nutrition
- Research Methods in Nutrition
- Lifecycle Nutrition
- Foods and Nutrition
- Advanced Nutrient Metabolism
- Food and Society
Degrees To Help You Become a Nutritionist
Dietitian and nutritionist educational programs generally vary in terms of degrees and duration, however most states do require graduates to be licensed.
Associate’s Degree
The associate’s degree in applied nutritional offers a gateway for students into understanding the dynamics that make for the healthy diet and wellness dynamic. Courses center on general nutritional, organic food production and consumption and traditional governmental guidelines.
Bachelor’s Degree
This four-year degree takes a deep dive into the history of food production and consumption, while examining contemporary health issues stemming from nutrient deficient diets and mass production of foods. The bachelor’s degree also offers students well rounded background in relevant science and mathematics disciplines.
Master’s Degree
The master’s degree examines the biological aspects of nutrition, while developing a student’s understanding of applied analytical methods often used to determine nutrition and lifestyle related problems and challenges.