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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nutritionists, also known as dietitians, plan food and nutrition programs to treat illnesses and optimize patient health. Nutritionists can be divided into several general categories. Clinical dietitians plan meal programs at hospitals or nursing homes tailored to each patient's dietary restrictions, while community dietitians counsel individuals or groups about healthy food choices, including grocery shopping and food preparation. Management dietitians oversee food production in cafeterias, prisons, and schools. Consultant dietitians work on contract or in private practice to target a patient's specific wellness goals, such as weight loss or lowering cholesterol.

If you are passionate about improving people's health through nutrition and diet, a career as a nutritionist might be for you.

Nutritionist Salary: 2009 Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual nutritionist salary in 2009 was $52,150, and the top 10th percentile earned more than $74,690. Salary.com reports median annual earnings of $56,557 for nutritionists, $61,971 for senior nutritionists, and $62,855 for home health care nutritionists.

As with any career, salaries vary from employer to employer. According to the BLS, the top paying industries for nutritionists in 2009 included:

• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services: $75,100
• Federal government: $68,390
• Home health care services: $62,050
• Health and personal care stores: $60,890
• Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $60,150

The top paying states for nutritionists were Maryland ($64,600), Nevada ($63,860), California ($63,610), Hawai'i ($62,750), and Connecticut ($61,750). Of these states, Nevada had the lowest cost of living, meaning your nutritionist salary may go further in the Silver State.

Four of the five top paying metropolitan areas for nutritionists were in California, a state that employs 5,680, or just over 10 percent, of the nation's 53,220 nutritionists.

• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $80,470
• Bethesda-Frederick-Gaithersburg, MD: $79,610
• Modesto, CA: $69,780
• San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA: $69,410
• Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA: $68,910

Employment Potential for Nutritionists

The BLS reports that employment of nutritionists is expected to increase 9 percent from 2008 to 2018. Increases in health awareness should create an increased demand for dietitians in residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, home health care agencies, and food service management. Medicare coverage has also been expanded for obese and diabetic patients to receive nutritional counseling, further increasing demand for nutritionists. However, the continued outsourcing of food preparation at hospitals and nursing homes could counterbalance this increase.

If you are interested in the best areas in which to seek employment, the BLS reports that the states with the highest concentrations of workers were the District of Columbia, Delaware, and North Dakota. The metropolitan areas with the highest concentrations of workers were Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, and Altoona, PA. The relatively low costs of living in these areas compared to top paying areas make these ideal locations to seek employment as a nutritionist.

Why Choose Nutritionist Training Online?

All nutritionists and dietitians need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, or food service systems management, according to the BLS. Additionally, some states require you to pass a test and get a license to practice. In states where licensure is not required, it is still recommended, as many employers prefer hiring nutritionists with national accreditation. Nutritionist training online can help you earn your bachelor's degree and prepare for national certification. Online training offers the convenience of attending classes on your schedule, so you could keep your full-time job while pursuing your education or gain experience in the health care field while pursuing your nutritionist degree.