Consultant Dietician

Career Overview

Consultant dieticians offer their services under contract; often to health care facilities, nursing homes or wellness programs. They can do nutrition screenings for client and offer advice on cholesterol control and weight loss programs. Some contract with sports programs or athletic facilities to provide consulting services.

Many consultant dieticians begin their careers working in a clinical environment, and move to consulting as they gain experience in a variety of working environments.

Education

Consultant dieticians should have a bachelor's degree in diatetics, food and nutrition, or a related area. Thirty five states require licensure in the field, while another twelve states have statutory certification programs.

Employment

There were 57,000 dieticians employed in the United States in 2006, according to the labor department. More than half of those positions were in hospitals, nursing facilities, outpatient clinics or with medical practices. Still others were employed by educational facilities or correctional institutions. Some were self employed, working on a consulting basis.

Job Outlook

The job outlook overall for dieticians is that the profession will grow about as fast as the expected average growth rate for jobs overall. The increase in positions for dieticians over the next several years will be about 9%.

Salary

Lowest 10% $31,460

Median Salary $50,590

Highest 10% $73,410

Source: U.S. Department of Labor