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.
SOC: 29-2051.00
Common Job Titles
Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician)
Diet Technician Registered (DTR)
Dietary Aide
Nutrition Technician
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
MindsetAdvocate for patient-centered nutritional care and dietary modifications when collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Proficient
KnowledgeMonitor food service processes, quality control standards, and patient meal delivery to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and institutional policies.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate nutritional programs and food service operations for compliance with established dietary guidelines under dietitian supervision in healthcare or institutional settings.
Developing
KnowledgeAnalyze patient dietary requirements and nutritional assessments using electronic medical records and nutritional software tools.
Developing
MindsetEngage with patients and clients to support nutritional education and dietary adherence demonstrating cultural sensitivity and service orientation.
Developing
Hands-onPerform anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and body composition assessments using medical scales, measuring tapes, and body-fat calipers.
Developing
KnowledgeApply principles of nutrition science to menu planning and meal production following standardized recipes and dietary protocols for diverse populations.
Developing
KnowledgeDemonstrate teaching methods for nutrition and food safety education to individuals and groups in clinical, community, or institutional settings.
Developing
Hands-onOperate commercial kitchen equipment including ovens, mixers, slicers, and food scales following food safety and sanitation regulations during meal preparation.
Developing
KnowledgeCompute portion sizes, nutrient content, and food costs using specialized nutrition software and spreadsheet applications.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Dietetic Technicians (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
29,950
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $28,280. 25th percentile: U.S. $32,460. 50th percentile: U.S. $37,040. 75th percentile: U.S. $44,290. 90th percentile: U.S. $53,440. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$28,280
10% of workers earn the following or more
$53,440
Workers on average earn
$39,560
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
English Language4.5/5
Education and Training4.2/5
Mathematics4.0/5
Public Safety and Security4.0/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
