Dietetic Technicians

29-2051.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

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.

Also known as: Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Child Nutrition Assistant, Clinical Dietetic Technician, Cook Chill Technician (CCT), Diet Aide, Diet Assistant, Diet Clerk, Diet Tech (Diet Technician), ...

Annual Salary

$37,040

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$32,460 25th – 75th percentile $44,290
10th percentile $28,280
90th percentile $53,440
U.S. Employment: 29,950

Job Outlook

+2.5%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 4,000 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Associate's degree

What You'd Do

  • 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.
  • Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
  • Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
  • Attend interdisciplinary meetings with other health care professionals to discuss patient care.

Top Skills

Speaking 3.4
Active Listening 3.3
Reading Comprehension 3.1
Writing 3.1
Instructing 3.1
Critical Thinking 3.1
Active Learning 3.1
Learning Strategies 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.8
English Language 4.5
Education and Training 4.2
Mathematics 4.0
Public Safety and Security 4.0
Administration and Management 3.9
Food Production 3.9
Administrative 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Associate's
34.6%
Certificate
26.9%
Some College
14.6%
< High School
9.7%
High School
7.5%
Bachelor's
6.7%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

MEDITECH software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Appointment scheduling software Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro CBORD Nutrition Service Suite Computrition Nutrition Care Management NCM Select CyberSoft NutriBase Cybersoft Primero Software Suite Desktop publishing software DietMaster Systems Clinical Nutrition ESHA Research The Food Processor eTritionWare Food Service Solutions FoodCo Gnutrition LunchByte Systems NUTRIKIDS NutriGenie Optimal Nutrition Patient electronic medical record EMR software +7 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.6
Attention to Detail
2.5
Dependability
2.2
Cooperation
2.1
Empathy
1.8
Social Orientation
1.7
Sincerity
1.7
Integrity

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 3.8
Oral Expression 3.8
Deductive Reasoning 3.5
Written Comprehension 3.3
Near Vision 3.3
Problem Sensitivity 3.3
Inductive Reasoning 3.3
Speech Clarity 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Getting Information 4.8
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 4.5
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.5
Assisting and Caring for Others 4.4
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 4.3
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 4.2
Processing Information 4.2
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Contact With Others
4.8
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.7
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.7
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.6
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.5
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.5
Exposed to Disease or Infections
4.4
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.4
Time Pressure
4.3
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.2
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.2
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
4.2

Related Careers

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$77K
Rehabilitation Counselors
$46K
Allergists and Immunologists
$208K+
Food Service Managers
$65K
Medical and Health Services Managers
$118K
Food Scientists and Technologists
$85K
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
$36K
Clinical Nurse Specialists
$94K
Preventive Medicine Physicians
$208K+
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
$61K

Is Dietetic Technicians right for you?

Take our free career quiz to see how you match with this and 900+ other careers.

Take the Quiz

Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.