How much does a nutritionist make?
a year · about $37 an hour
A typical nutritionist in the United States makes $76,400 a year, about $37 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A nutritionist checks a person's health and eating needs, then plans meals and explains food choices—for example, helping someone with diabetes balance blood sugar. In a clinic, they may coordinate care with other health workers.
Did you know? Some U.S. dietitians plan food programs and oversee kitchen teams in prisons—not just hospitals or clinics.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,090 and $103,720How do you become one?
In the United States, the usual registered-dietitian path is to study nutrition and dietetics through an accredited program, earn a graduate degree, and complete supervised practice. Then pass the national registration exam and meet your state's licensing rules, if required.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, a state license or extra specialty credentials, and the type of employer, such as a clinic, hospital, or government program. Location and work hours, including evenings or weekends, can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($98,850), lowest in Mississippi ($63,700).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a nutritionist averages $26,935. Nutritionist salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,090 | $76,400 | $103,720 | about 78,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $98,850 | about 9,000 |
| West Virginia | $89,440 | about 520 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 | about 3,000 |
| Washington | $84,220 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $84,180 | about 700 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
- www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/professional-informat
- www.cdrnet.org/RDNeligibility
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY