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.
Dietetic Technicians
SOC: 29-2051 O*NET: 29-2051.00
Median Salary
$37,040
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Dietetic Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,280
10th percentile
Early Career
$32,460
25th percentile
Median
$37,040
50th percentile
Experienced
$44,290
75th percentile
Top Earners
$53,440
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,280
25th
$32,460
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,040
Mean: $39,560
75th
$44,290
90th
$53,440
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,160 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $32,460 and $44,290
- •Salary spread is 31.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 29,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:30,900
Top Industries
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities39.4%
Hospitals37.6%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals34.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.5%
Annual Openings:4,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)30,900
Current
2034 (Projected)31,700
+2.5%
+800
Employment Change
+2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dietetic Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
California
6,120 jobs$43,4601.75x
Michigan
2,770 jobs$35,3303.25x
Pennsylvania
2,000 jobs$34,7501.71x
Texas
1,880 jobs$28,3300.70x
Florida
1,800 jobs$34,4300.94x
New York
1,720 jobs$48,2300.93x
North Carolina
1,470 jobs$29,5201.55x
Massachusetts
850 jobs$39,1901.20x
Maryland
850 jobs$34,5201.60x
New Jersey
730 jobs$37,8500.89x
Ohio
710 jobs$39,2900.67x
Indiana
670 jobs$31,6201.09x
Utah
650 jobs$39,1801.95x
Kentucky
620 jobs$27,9101.59x
Arizona
520 jobs$41,7700.84x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Instructing
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Exercise Physiologists100%
5 shared skills
Occupational Therapists100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Athletic Trainers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Dietetic Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (4)General Responsibilities (7)
1
Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Analyze menus or recipes, standardize recipes, or test new products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Supervise food production or service or assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Plan menus or diets or guide individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Determine food and beverage costs and assist in implementing cost control procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Develop job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Select, schedule, or conduct orientation or in-service education programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Provide dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Deliver speeches on diet, nutrition, or health to promote healthy eating habits and illness prevention and treatment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Refer patients to other relevant services to provide continuity of care.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Dietetic Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Dietetic Technicians professionals typically have a SRC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dietetic Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.75
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.72
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.70
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.69
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.68
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.63
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Concern for Others
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Independence
4.6
Self-Control
4.6
Social Orientation
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Leadership
4.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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