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.
SOC: 29-2051.00
Common Job Titles
Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician)Diet Technician Registered (DTR)Dietary AideNutrition Technician
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey 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
| 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
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
MEDITECH softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word
Technology Skills
Appointment scheduling softwareAxxya Systems Nutritionist ProCBORD Nutrition Service SuiteComputrition Nutrition Care Management NCM SelectCyberSoft NutriBaseCybersoft Primero Software SuiteDesktop publishing softwareDietMaster Systems Clinical Nutrition
Tools & Equipment
Body-fat calipersCommercial kitchen food slicersCommercial kitchen knivesCommercial kitchen microwave ovensCommercial kitchen mixersCommercial kitchen ovensCommercial kitchen stovesDesktop computers