Dietetic Technicians
Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.
- Median pay
- $37,640
- Doing it now
- 32,100
- By 2035
- Up 2.7%
- Usually needs
- Associate's degree
a year
across the country
4,200 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
- Analyze menus or recipes, standardize recipes, or test new products.
- Supervise food production or service or assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
- Plan menus or diets or guide individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
- Develop job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.
- Select, schedule, or conduct orientation or in-service education programs.
- Provide dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesSee 156 colleges that teach it
- Nutrition SciencesSee 129 colleges that teach it
- Foods, Nutrition, and Related ServicesSee 122 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Helping and teaching
Organised and precise
Hands-on and practical
Careers like this one
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $37,640 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.