Dietitian
Use food and nutrition to help people prevent and manage disease.
- $76,400
- Bachelor’s plus graduate program and supervised practice
Healthcare career
Dietetic Technician
Also called: Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) · Nutrition and Dietetics Technician · Diet Tech · Nutrition Assistant
What dietetic technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a dietetic technician do?
Dietetic technicians assist dietitians in planning and providing food and nutrition services, screening patients and teaching healthy eating. The median pay is $37,640 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +2.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$37,640$18.09/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.7%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year4,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs32,100Employment, 2025
What dietetic technicians do
Dietetic technicians support nutrition care. In hospitals and nursing homes they screen patients for nutrition risk, take diet histories, plan menus for special diets, track what patients eat and help with meal service. In community programs they teach nutrition classes and assist with WIC and school meals.
Most have an associate degree in dietetic technology and can earn the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) credential.
Typical duties
- Screen patients for nutrition risk
- Take diet histories
- Plan menus for special diets
- Monitor food intake
- Teach nutrition basics
- Help supervise food service
- Document nutrition care
Work environment and schedule
Dietetic technicians work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, public health programs and food service.
Schedule: Most work full-time; some weekend shifts in healthcare.
A day in the life
- Review new admissions for nutrition risk.
- Interview patients about diets.
- Adjust menus for diabetic and low-sodium diets.
- Check tray accuracy during lunch.
See a full day in the life of a dietetic technician →
Dietetic Technician salary
Half of dietetic technicians earned more than $37,640 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $29,720 for the lowest 10% to $54,020 for the top 10%.
Full dietetic technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a dietetic technician
- Take health and nutrition classes
- Complete an accredited program
- Complete supervised practice
- Pass the NDTR exam
- Advance
An associate degree from an accredited dietetic technician program is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a dietetic technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Nutrition screening
- Menu planning
- Therapeutic diets
- Food service basics
- Nutrition education
People skills
- Communication
- Organization
- Empathy
- Teamwork
All dietetic technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two-year path into nutrition
- Help people eat better
- Steady healthcare jobs
- Step toward becoming a dietitian
Cons
- Modest pay
- Repetitive tasks
- Food service pressure
- Limited advancement without more education
Certifications and licenses
- NDTR (CDR): Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered.
- ServSafe Manager: Food safety.
- Certified Dietary Manager (CDM): Food service management.
- State certification: Some states regulate titles.
Career path
- Dietetic Technician: Support nutrition care.
- Senior Diet Tech: Lead tasks.
- Dietary Manager: Manage food service.
- Registered Dietitian: With more education.
Learn the job before day one
Our Dietetic Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as screen a patient for malnutrition and plan a low-sodium menu, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Health Educator
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Cafeteria Cook
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Food Service Supervisor
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Compare: Diet Tech vs. Dietitian · Diet Tech vs. Health Educator · Diet Tech vs. Cafeteria Cook · Diet Tech vs. Food Service Supervisor
Dietetic Technician FAQ
What’s the difference between a diet tech and a dietitian?
Dietitians have more education and a license; diet techs assist them.
Do diet techs need a degree?
An associate degree is typical.
Can diet techs become dietitians?
Yes, with a graduate degree and supervised practice.
How much does a dietetic technician make?
The median annual wage for dietetic technicians was $37,640 ($18.09 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,720 and the highest 10% earned more than $54,020.
How long does it take to become a dietetic technician?
Most people need about 2 years of training. An associate degree from an accredited dietetic technician program is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a dietetic technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
More dietetic technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-2051 (Dietetic technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Dietetic technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.