How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do dietitians and nutritionists make?

The US median is $76,400 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

413 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Dietitians and nutritionists: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-1031

$76,400US median pay, 2025

+7.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

5,700Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Internship/residency
Work in: dietitians and nutritionists

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Dietetics/Dietitian	CIP 51.3101	147
Nutrition Sciences	CIP 30.1901	146
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General	CIP 19.0501	142
Human Nutrition	CIP 19.0504	51
Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist	CIP 51.3102	44
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management	CIP 19.0505	32
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other	CIP 51.3199	22
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other	CIP 19.0599	12

See the 413 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make?: The US median is $76,400 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 413 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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