To become a dietitian in the US, you earn a degree in dietetics, food and nutrition or a related field, complete supervised training through an internship, and get licensed if your state requires it. If you want the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential most employers prefer, you'll need at least a master's degree plus a dietetic internship.
That master's rule is the detail people miss. A bachelor's degree can still get you into the field, but it won't get you the RD or RDN title on its own.
The facts below come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for dietitians and nutritionists, read on 26 October 2026. This is a careers guide covering training, credentials and pay. It isn't nutrition or health advice.
Dietitian pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $76,400 a year, $36.73 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $49,090 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $103,720 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 86,300 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 8%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 5,700 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The route in, step by step
- Study for a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, or a related field. Graduate programs usually want a bachelor's that includes sciences such as anatomy, biology and physiology.
- Complete supervised training. For most people that's an internship after graduation, but some schools run coordinated programs that build the supervised training into the coursework.
- Check your state's rules. Many states require a licence, some only require registration or certification to use certain titles, and a few don't regulate the occupation at all.
- Decide on a credential. Employers may prefer the Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), or the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).
- Keep your credential with continuing professional education within a set number of years.
The master's rule, explained
BLS says the RD/RDN designation requires a minimum of a master's degree and a Dietetic Internship, which includes supervised experience. You can do both at once through a coordinated program, or finish your degree first and then apply for an internship.
The CNS route asks even more on paper: a master's or doctoral degree, supervised experience and an exam. Many states accept the CNS credential or its exam for licensing. So whichever credential you aim for, plan on graduate study. If you're choosing a bachelor's now, pick one that includes the science courses graduate programs want, so you don't have to go back and fill gaps later.
| Credential | Degree BLS describes | Also needs |
|---|---|---|
| RD / RDN | At least a master's | Dietetic Internship with supervised experience |
| CNS | Master's or doctoral | Supervised experience and an exam |
| State licence | Varies by state | Check your state board |
Dietitian or nutritionist: does the title matter?
It can. BLS notes that some states require only registration or certification to use certain titles, while others require a full licence to practise, and a few have no rules for this occupation. That's why two people doing similar work in different states can carry different titles. Before you pick a program, check what your state requires for the title you want to use, because it decides which route makes sense for you.
Where dietitians work and what it pays
Hospitals are the biggest employer, at 27% of jobs. Government comes next at 11 in every 100, then nursing and residential care facilities and the self-employed, at 9 in every 100 each.
| Industry | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Outpatient care centers | $80,790 |
| Hospitals; state, local and private | $78,180 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $78,070 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $75,670 |
So outpatient care centers paid the highest median of the top industries, at $80,790, as of October 2026. Most dietitians work full time, and some work evenings and weekends to fit clients who can't come at other times.
Specialising
Once you're credentialed, BLS says you can add certifications in a specialty such as diabetes education, oncology nutrition or sports dietetics. A specialty can help you stand out in a crowded local market, and it often points you toward the settings you want to work in.
Running your own practice
About 9 in every 100 dietitians and nutritionists are self-employed. If that's the plan, you'll be handling bookings, client plans and marketing as well as consultations. Our guide to AI tools for nutritionists covers tools that speed up meal plans and client notes, and our roundup of the best CRM for healthcare looks at keeping client records in order.
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How long it takes
Plan for a bachelor's degree, then a master's, with a supervised internship either built in or added after. That makes it a longer road than many people expect for the RDN, especially if they're switching careers. A coordinated program that combines the degree and the supervised practice is the way to save time, so ask every school whether it offers one.
My verdict
Dietetics is a steady, growing field, with BLS projecting 8% growth and about 5,700 openings a year. The thing to plan around is the credential: the RDN now needs at least a master's degree plus a dietetic internship, so a bachelor's alone won't get you there. Check your state's rules first, choose a program that builds in the supervised training if you can, and you'll save yourself time.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a master's degree to become a dietitian?
For the RD or RDN credential, yes. BLS says it requires a minimum of a master's degree and a Dietetic Internship. A bachelor's degree can still lead to some roles.
How long does it take to become a dietitian?
Typically a bachelor's degree, then a master's, plus a supervised internship. Coordinated programs combine the supervised training with the coursework.
Do dietitians need a licence?
Many states require one. Some require only registration or certification to use certain titles, and a few have no regulations for the occupation.
How much do dietitians make?
BLS reports a median of $76,400 a year for dietitians and nutritionists in May 2025, as of October 2026.
What is the difference between an RDN and a CNS?
Both are credentials employers may prefer. The RDN needs at least a master's and a Dietetic Internship; the CNS needs a master's or doctoral degree, supervised experience and an exam.
Where do dietitians earn the most?
Among the top industries BLS lists, outpatient care centers had the highest median, at $80,790 in May 2025.
