What Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Do?
Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve specific health-related goals.
Dietitians and nutritionists try to prevent health problems and aim to treat health problems by helping people develop better eating habits. They often work with patients who have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, eating disorders, or are overweight. They may plan diet programs, conduct nutritional assessments, direct menu development, manage food service systems, supervise meal preparations, and provide nutritional counseling.
For more details, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm.
Where Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Work?
Dietitians and nutritionists may work as clinicians, managers, researchers, or consultants and are found in a variety of settings. Over half work in hospitals and nursing homes, while others work in health clinics, home health agencies, doctors’ offices, schools, health clubs, cafeterias, and private practices.
What Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Earn?
According to the 2019 BLS, the average salary for full time, dietitians and nutritionists nationwide was $124,660, varying by specialty and geographic region. Average annual salary also varies greatly across New York State, depending on location. The NYSDOL reports that dieticians and nutritionists in New York earned an average annual salary of $68,590, (entry level-$47,930, experienced- $91,890).
Supply and Demand
The number of dietitians and nutritionists nationwide is projected to increase more than 14.6% between 2016 and 2026, and more than 21.3% in New York in the same time period.
This increase is attributable in part to the increasing awareness of the relationship between diet and health and the importance of diet in preventing and treating illnesses and the role of food in promoting health and wellness. The importance of diet in preventing and treating illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease is now well known, and more dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for people with these conditions. An aging population also will increase the need for dietitians and nutritionists in nursing homes. Job opportunities are also expected to increase in community health centers, physicians’ offices, and home health agencies. An increasing number of dietitians and nutritionists are expected to be self-employed. Fewer new jobs are expected at hospitals.
For more information on employment projections of dietitians and nutritionists by New York State labor regions, 2014-2024, click here.
New York Education and Licensure Requirements
Dietitians and nutritionists in New York and nationally usually have at least a bachelor’s degree. In New York, it is possible to be certified as a dietitian and nutritionist with an associate degree from an accredited educational program and more time in an approved work experience. However, most New York educational programs offer bachelor’s or advanced degrees. All accredited dietitian and nutritionist education programs include coursework in professional dietetics and nutrition as well as human biology and behavioral science. For more information, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/diet/.
Dieticians and nutritionists who practice in New York must be certified by one of the two national certifying organizations. Requirements include graduating from an accredited educational program and completing an approved work experience. For more information, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/diet/dietlic.htm.
Recertification every five years by one of the two national certifying organizations requires the completion of a specific number of continuing education credits.
Financial Support
The American Dietetic Association offers scholarships and financial aid to students studying to become dietitians and nutritionists. For more information, go to: https://eatrightfoundation.org/why-it-matters/awards/ and https://www.eatrightpro.org/membership/student-member-center/scholarships-and-financial-aid
Education Programs in New York (subject to change)
| Westchester Community College 75 Grasslands Road Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 606-6600 |
Brooklyn College 2900 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 (718) 951-5000 |
| Buffalo State – SUNY 1300 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 878-4000 |
Columbia University Teacher’s College 525 West 120th St New York, NY 10027-6696 (212) 678-3950 |
| Cornell University 410 Thurston Avenue Ithaca, NY 14853 (607) 255-2247 |
D’Youville College 320 Porter Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 829-8000 |
| Hunter College 695 Park Ave NY, NY 10065 (212) 772-4000 |
Lehman College – CUNYLehman College250 Bedford Park Blvd. West Bronx, NY 10468 (718) 960-8000 |
| Long Island University C.W. Post Campus 720 Northern Boulevard Brookville, NY 11548 (516) 299-2000 |
LaGuardia Community College -CUNY 31-10 Thomson Ave Long Island City, NY 11101-3007 (718) 482-5973 or (718) 482-5740 |
| New York University Steinhardt Dept of Nutrition & Food Studies 411 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10003 (212) 998-5580 |
Russell Sage College 65 1st Street Troy, NY 12180 and 140 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208 (518) 244-2000 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology College of Health Sciences and Technology One Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 475-2411 |
SUNY Oneonta Also have online MS Degree 108 Ravine Parkway Oneonta, NY 13820 (607) 436-3500 |
| Plattsburgh- SUNY 101 Broad Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 564-2000 |
Syracuse University 900 South Crouse Ave Syracuse, NY 13244 (315) 443-1870 |
| Queens College- CUNY 65-30 Kissena Blvd. Flushing, NY 11367 (718) 997-5000 |
New York Chiropractic College School of Health Sciences & Education 2360 State Rte 89 Seneca Falls, NY 13148 (800) 234-6922 |
| Bronx Community College 2155 University Ave Bronx, NY 10453 (718) 289-5100 |
SUNY Morrisville 80 Eaton St Morrisville, NY 13408 (315) 684-6000 |
| Stony Brook University 101 Nicolls Rd Stony Brook, NY 11794 (631) 689-8333 |
Nassau Community College One Education Dr Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 572-7501 |
| Adelphi University 1 South Ave Garden City, NY 11530 (800) 233-5744 |
Niagara County Community College 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 614-6222 |
| NY Institute of Technology (NYIT) Online only (800) 345-6948 |
University at Buffalo 12 Capen Hall Buffalo, NY 14260 (716) 646-2000 |
| Canisius 2001 Main St Buffalo, NY 14208 (718) 883-7000 |
Schenectady County Community College 78 Washington Ave Schenectady, NY 12305 (518) 381-1200 |
Additional Web Links
The Commission on Dietetic Registration: http://www.cdrnet.org/
The Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists: http://cbns.org/
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