Best degree programs for Dietetic Technicians, ranked by enrollment
5 college programs and 385 schools train Dietetic Technicians. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $37,640 median wage, 31,560 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
5 college programs at 385 schools train dietetic technicians, graduating 11,119 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Nutrition Sciences. The job pays a median of $37,640 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About 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.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
5 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 30.1901 | 5,478 | 49.3% | 154 | $30,508 | $24,586 |
| 2 | CIP 51.3101 | 2,993 | 26.9% | 147 | $33,554 | $24,625 |
| 3 | CIP 19.0501 | 2,082 | 18.7% | 151 | $32,286 | $25,275 |
| 4 | CIP 51.3104 | 406 | 3.7% | 9 | $33,554 | $24,625 |
| 5 | CIP 51.3103 | 160 | 1.4% | 19 | $33,554 | $24,625 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 329 | Dietitian Assistant | 50% | — | — |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 237 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 86% | — | 55% |
| 3 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · 2 feeder programs | 196 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 67% | — | 87% |
| 4 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · 3 feeder programs | 167 | Nutrition Sciences | 71% | — | 82% |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 156 | Nutrition Sciences | 84% | — | 57% |
| 6 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · 3 feeder programs | 155 | Nutrition Sciences | 68% | — | 86% |
| 7 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK Public · 1 feeder programs | 148 | Nutrition Sciences | 37% | — | 78% |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 141 | Nutrition Sciences | 90% | — | 38% |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 138 | Nutrition Sciences | 69% | — | 73% |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 136 | Nutrition Sciences | 89% | — | 27% |
| 11 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 135 | Nutrition Sciences | 85% | — | 39% |
| 12 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 128 | Nutrition Sciences | 86% | — | 42% |
| 13 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 126 | Nutrition Sciences | 88% | $29,023 | 9% |
| 14 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 126 | Nutrition Sciences | 93% | — | 11% |
| 15 | Lamar University Beaumont, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 125 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 37% | — | 86% |
| 16 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 2 feeder programs | 124 | Nutrition Sciences | 91% | — | 24% |
| 17 | Florida International University Miami, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 122 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 74% | — | 55% |
| 18 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 120 | Nutrition Sciences | 68% | — | 75% |
| 19 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · 2 feeder programs | 118 | Nutrition Sciences | 32% | — | 99% |
| 20 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · 1 feeder programs | 117 | Nutrition Sciences | 65% | — | 88% |
| 21 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 115 | Nutrition Sciences | 49% | — | 96% |
| 22 | Appalachian State University Boone, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 103 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 75% | — | 90% |
| 23 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 103 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 65% | — | 88% |
| 24 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 99 | Nutrition Sciences | 86% | — | 61% |
| 25 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · 2 feeder programs | 98 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 71% | — | 74% |
| 26 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 96 | Nutrition Sciences | 85% | — | 42% |
| 27 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · 2 feeder programs | 95 | Nutrition Sciences | 81% | — | 85% |
| 28 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 93 | Nutrition Sciences | 69% | — | 46% |
| 29 | University of Vermont Burlington, VT Public · 2 feeder programs | 89 | Nutrition Sciences | 79% | — | 65% |
| 30 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · 2 feeder programs | 87 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 59% | — | 92% |
| 31 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · 2 feeder programs | 85 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 71% | — | 93% |
| 32 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 84 | Nutrition Sciences | 76% | — | 36% |
| 33 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK Public · 2 feeder programs | 83 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 68% | — | 75% |
| 34 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · 3 feeder programs | 83 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 81% | — | 71% |
| 35 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · 2 feeder programs | 82 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 75% | — | 85% |
| 36 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 82 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 69% | — | 53% |
| 37 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs | 81 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 0% | — | 67% |
| 38 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 81 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 75% | — | 78% |
| 39 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 77 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 81% | $13,712 | 68% |
| 40 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 75 | Nutrition Sciences | 53% | — | 91% |
| 41 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 74 | Nutrition Sciences | 86% | — | 31% |
| 42 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 74 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 62% | — | 77% |
| 43 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 73 | Nutrition Sciences | 56% | — | 94% |
| 44 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 72 | Nutrition Sciences | 74% | — | 42% |
| 45 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · 2 feeder programs | 69 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 83% | — | 50% |
| 46 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 67 | Dietetics/Dietitian | 58% | — | 91% |
| 47 | National Holistic Institute Emeryville, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 66 | Nutrition Sciences | 80% | $31,040 | — |
| 48 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 66 | Nutrition Sciences | 94% | $23,570 | 11% |
| 49 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 2 feeder programs | 65 | Nutrition Sciences | 85% | — | 80% |
| 50 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · 2 feeder programs | 65 | Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 91% | — | 15% |
What dietetic technicians earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $46,410 | 6,310 | 1.71× | 88 | 1,536 |
| Texas | $30,280 | 1,360 | 0.48× | 18 | 953 |
| New York | $50,420 | 1,580 | 0.80× | 30 | 710 |
| Indiana | $31,660 | 690 | 1.06× | 10 | 489 |
| North Carolina | $31,010 | 1,300 | 1.30× | 11 | 462 |
| Florida | $34,740 | 2,420 | 1.20× | 7 | 415 |
| Arizona | $45,970 | 370 | 0.57× | 6 | 400 |
| Illinois | $42,550 | 590 | 0.48× | 17 | 366 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,090 | 2,300 | 1.87× | 19 | 359 |
| Massachusetts | $39,760 | 910 | 1.23× | 11 | 333 |
| Virginiamoderate | $38,790 | 460 | 0.55× | 4 | 330 |
| Ohio | $41,380 | 660 | 0.59× | 15 | 310 |
| Oklahoma | $38,840 | 130 | 0.39× | 5 | 286 |
| Michigan | $36,420 | 3,060 | 3.43× | 10 | 274 |
| Missouri | $36,100 | 290 | 0.49× | 7 | 259 |
| Kansasmoderate | $35,060 | 140 | 0.49× | 4 | 242 |
| Colorado | $47,810 | 230 | 0.39× | 5 | 225 |
| New Jersey | $40,530 | 400 | 0.46× | 6 | 222 |
| Nebraskamoderate | $37,760 | 100 | 0.47× | 3 | 208 |
| Georgia | $34,240 | 490 | 0.49× | 5 | 196 |
| Arkansas | $31,900 | 210 | 0.78× | 7 | 193 |
| Utah | $40,580 | 890 | 2.52× | 5 | 189 |
| Washingtonmoderate | $47,000 | 290 | 0.40× | 4 | 188 |
| Wisconsin | $38,750 | 410 | 0.69× | 8 | 188 |
| Tennessee | — | 230 | 0.35× | 9 | 185 |
| Connecticutmoderate | $42,040 | 330 | 0.95× | 4 | 115 |
| Louisiana | $28,860 | 190 | 0.49× | 5 | 115 |
| Mississippimoderate | $28,690 | 120 | 0.49× | 4 | 111 |
| Kentuckymoderate | $28,970 | 430 | 1.06× | 4 | 109 |
| Minnesota | $47,610 | 170 | 0.28× | 6 | 95 |
| Delawarelimited | $41,280 | 150 | 1.50× | 2 | 88 |
| Iowamoderate | $35,220 | 350 | 1.09× | 3 | 81 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $39,400 | 50 | 0.48× | 2 | 74 |
| Oregonmoderate | $54,670 | 60 | 0.15× | 3 | 67 |
| New Hampshirelimited | $41,830 | 230 | 1.63× | 2 | 65 |
| Idaholimited | $32,620 | 170 | 1.00× | 2 | 50 |
| North Dakotalimited | $35,890 | 90 | 0.98× | 2 | 49 |
| New Mexicomoderate | $37,580 | 100 | 0.58× | 4 | 42 |
| District of Columbiamoderate | $40,810 | 190 | 1.36× | 4 | 40 |
| West Virginiamoderate | $35,210 | 260 | 1.84× | 3 | 40 |
| Hawaiilimited | $43,580 | 130 | 0.99× | 1 | 31 |
| Mainelimited | $42,320 | 40 | 0.31× | 2 | 31 |
| Nevadalimited | $37,630 | 370 | 1.16× | 2 | 25 |
| Marylandlimited | $33,710 | 1,670 | 2.98× | 2 | 19 |
| Montanalimited | $40,040 | 100 | 1.00× | 1 | 17 |
| South Carolinalimited | $36,770 | 450 | 0.95× | 2 | 11 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Attend interdisciplinary meetings with other health care professionals to discuss patient care.
- Provide dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
Skills
- Speaking3.4
- Active Listening3.3
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Writing3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Active Learning3.1
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.8
- English Language4.5
- Education and Training4.2
- Mathematics4.0
- Public Safety and Security4.0
- Administration and Management3.9
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension3.8
- Oral Expression3.8
- Deductive Reasoning3.5
- Inductive Reasoning3.3
- Near Vision3.3
- Problem Sensitivity3.3
Core activities
- Getting Information4.8
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.5
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.5
- Assisting and Caring for Others4.4
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials4.3
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.2
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Dietetic Technician
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 5 majors mapped to Dietetic Technicians5 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 19.0501Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
- 30.1901Nutrition Sciences
- 51.3101Dietetics/Dietitian
- 51.3103Dietetic Technician
- 51.3104Dietitian Assistant
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Dietetic Technician?+
Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Nutrition Sciences, which awarded 5,478 degrees in 2024-25, 49.3% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Dietetic Technician?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 5 programs to this occupation. The largest are Nutrition Sciences, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Foods. Together they graduate about 11,119 people a year.
How much do dietetic technicians earn?+
The median is $37,640 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $29,720 at the 10th percentile to $54,020 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for dietetic technicians growing?+
BLS projects a +2.5% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 4,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
385 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 5 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do dietetic technicians work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Dietary Aide, Nutrition Technician, Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician), Diet Technician Registered (DTR) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 29-2051.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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