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Dietetic Technicians
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.
Other titles employers use
Cook Chill Technician (CCT) · Diet Assistant · Diet Clerk · Diet Tech (Diet Technician) · Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician) · Diet Technician Registered (DTR) · Dietary Aide · Dietetic Assistant
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
- Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
- Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, organizing and practical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.1 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.9 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.9 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 41%
- A two-year degree 35%
- High school or less 17%
- A four-year degree 7%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Analytical or scientific software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 5,700
- Job openings each year
- 640
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 16.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,700 | 640 | 16.3% |
| Michigan | 2,580 | 280 | — |
| New York | 1,240 | 30 | 26.5% |
| Ohio | 1,230 | 130 | — |
| Texas | 1,000 | 110 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 950 | 110 | 11.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 770 | 80 | 2.7% |
| Arizona | 740 | 90 | 21.3% |
| North Carolina | 730 | 80 | 15.9% |
| New Jersey | 680 | 70 | 3.0% |
| South Carolina | 630 | 70 | 5.0% |
| Wisconsin | 630 | 70 | 6.8% |
| Maryland | 550 | 60 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 530 | 60 | 3.9% |
| Utah | 480 | 50 | 20.0% |
| Indiana | 420 | 50 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 360 | 40 | 2.9% |
| Tennessee | 350 | 40 | 12.9% |
| Iowa | 330 | 40 | 10.0% |
| Nevada | 320 | 40 | 23.1% |
| Georgia | 310 | 40 | 14.8% |
| West Virginia | 310 | 30 | 3.3% |
| Massachusetts | 250 | 30 | 8.7% |
| Washington | 250 | 30 | 13.6% |
| Colorado | 230 | 30 | 15.0% |
| Oklahoma | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| Connecticut | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Missouri | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Kentucky | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Minnesota | 140 | 20 | 7.7% |
| Mississippi | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Nebraska | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| New Mexico | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Idaho | 100 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Oregon | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Louisiana | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Vermont | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Delaware | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| New Hampshire | 80 | 10 | — |
| Alabama | 70 | 10 | — |
| Kansas | 70 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| District of Columbia | 50 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 40 | 10 | 33.3% |
| Maine | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Kansas State University
- Degrees each year
- 217
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
CUNY Brooklyn College
- Degrees each year
- 89
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 261
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
CUNY Lehman College
- Degrees each year
- 74
- Admit rate
- 55%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
University of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 141
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
- Degrees each year
- 117
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $28,000
University of Arizona
- Degrees each year
- 165
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Compare every college offering dietetics and clinical nutrition services