Dieticians and Nutritionists
Description OES Code: 32521
Dieticians and Dietetic Tecnicians use nutritional science to promote healthy eating habits. Menu planning, supervision of food preparation, sales, diet therapy, nutrition research, counseling, and education are all within the realm of the dietetic professional.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $17.39
25th Percentile $19.74
50th Percentile $23.43
75th Percentile $26.88

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Most Dietitians work a 40-hour week. However, in hospitals, Dietitians must expect to work some weekends and those employed in commercial food service often have irregular hours. Employers usually offer fringe benefits including paid vacations, holidays, sick leave, health insurance and retirement benefits.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 4,700
Projected Employment 2008 6,200
Percent Change 1998-2008 31.9%
Separations 1998-2008 1,100

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 100
Projected Employment 2006 120
Percent Change 1999-2006 20%
Separations 1999-2006 20

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians work primarily in medical centers, ambulatory care clinics, colleges and universities, schools, public health centers, business and industry. Work surroundings are usually pleasant; kitchens are clean (though sometimes hot and steamy) and offices are pleasant and comfortable. The work is not physically demanding, but Dietitians walk, stand, stoop, and work while teaching or directing food preparation. Dietitians must be able to deal with a variety of people, meet emergencies calmly, have good health and stamina, be flexible, and communicate well. Supervisors of multi-unit operations will spend time traveling between facilities. Dietitians generally wear street clothes topped with a lab coat.

Advancement
Experienced Dietitians may advance to assistant, associate director, or director of a dietetics department of a hospital, school, or other institution. Graduate studies in institutional or business administration are helpful for promotion in nonacademic fields. Advancement to higher levels in teaching or research usually requires a master's degree or doctorate.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Dietitians and technicians should apply directly to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, the Veterans Administration, schools, colleges, universities, public health agencies, research foundations, and private companies with food service operations, including airlines. Jobs for Dietitians are listed in newspapers, magazines, and with employment agencies. Some Dietitians are officers in the Armed Forces.

Applicants should register with college placement offices, the Employment Development Department's Job Service division, and make contact with the California Dietetic Association.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Some employers will hire non-registered Dietitians who possess a bachelor's degree in food service management, nutrition, or dietetics from an institution accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Most employers, however, prefer to hire registered Dietitians. There are two ways to become registered. Enrollment in the Coordinated Program, a bachelor's or master's degree program that combines classroom and practical experience, and is accredited by the ADA, is one way. The other way is to complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics, an ADA-accredited academic-only program that leads to at least a bachelor's degree, and then complete either a post graduate Preprofessional Practice Program or a Dietetic Internship. In either case, graduates are then eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Skills & Other Requirements
Those interested in a career in dietetics should have a high scientific aptitude as well as organizational and administrative abilities. Dietitians walk, stand, stoop, and work while teaching or directing food preparation. Dietitians must be able to deal with a variety of people, meet emergencies calmly, have good health and stamina, be flexible, and communicate well.

References
California Occupational Guide #98

Related Occupations: Health Care Workers, Home, #81

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)