Best institutions to study Dietetic Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of registered dietitians and nutritionists, to implement nutritional and dietetic plans and provide direct client and patient services.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 160 Dietetic Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3103, a specialization of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (CIP 51.31), and leads most directly to the Dietetic Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 29-2051).
About Dietetic Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of registered dietitians and nutritionists, to implement nutritional and dietetic plans and provide direct client and patient services. Includes instruction in human nutrition, client interviewing and record keeping, dietary planning, food preparation and safety, food worker supervision, food service establishment monitoring and inspection, and applicable procedures and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dietetic Technician program, part of the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services field, prepares individuals to support registered dietitians and nutritionists in implementing nutritional plans and providing direct services to clients and patients. This program is ideal for those interested in a career focused on nutrition and health, offering a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge.
Students will gain essential skills in client interviewing, dietary planning, food preparation, and safety. Coursework includes training in human nutrition, record keeping, and food service supervision, equipping graduates to effectively assist in dietary management and patient care.
Credentials awarded
What Dietetic Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree64 graduates / yr · 14 institutions40%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year54 graduates / yr · 5 institutions34%
- Bachelor's degree23 graduates / yr · 1 institution14%
- Award of less than 12 weeks12 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.4%
Graduates over time
Dietetic Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 277 |
| 2013 | 370 |
| 2014 | 304 |
| 2015 | 407 |
| 2016 | 332 |
| 2017 | 379 |
| 2018 | 317 |
| 2019 | 296 |
| 2020 | 253 |
| 2021 | 227 |
| 2022 | 172 |
| 2023 | 172 |
| 2024 | 159 |
| 2025 | 160 |
Top 19 institutions for Dietetic Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 31 | 34% | — |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 23 | 67% | — |
| 3 | Lindsey Hopkins Technical College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 66% | — |
| 4 | Southern Maine Community College South Portland, MEPublicAssociate's | 13 | 28% | — |
| 5 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 12 | 41% | — |
| 6 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 25% | — |
| 7 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 30% | — |
| 8 | Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZPublicAssociate's | 6 | 27% | — |
| 9 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate's | 5 | 24% | — |
| 10 | Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls, MNPublicAssociate's | 5 | 56% | — |
| 11 | Mohawk Valley Community College Utica, NYPublicAssociate's | 5 | 38% | — |
| 12 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 48% | — |
| 13 | North Shore Community College Danvers, MAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 18% | — |
| 14 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 31% | — |
| 15 | Finger Lakes Community College Canandaigua, NYPublicAssociate's | 4 | 30% | — |
| 16 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAssociate's | 3 | 23% | — |
| 17 | Merritt College Oakland, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 26% | — |
| 18 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 37% | — |
| 19 | Camden County College Blackwood, NJPublicAssociate's | 2 | 31% | — |
Offered in 14 states
Where Dietetic Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 31 | Tarrant County College District31 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 23 | Grand Valley State University23 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 20 | Lindsey Hopkins Technical College20 / yr |
| California | 4 | 15 | Long Beach City College7 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 15 | Sinclair Community College12 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 13 | Southern Maine Community College13 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 9 | Mohawk Valley Community College5 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 8 | Milwaukee Area Technical College8 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 6 | Central Arizona College6 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 5 | Connecticut State Community College5 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 5 | Northland Community and Technical College5 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 4 | North Shore Community College4 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 4 | Central New Mexico Community College4 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Camden County College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2051, Dietetic Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dietetic Technician program can pursue careers as Dietetic Technicians, with a median wage of $37,040. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.5% and approximately 4,000 annual openings. Most positions require an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3103
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dietetic Techniciansprimary SOC 29-2051 | $37,640 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Dietetic Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (CIP 51.31).
- Dietetics/CIP 51.3101
Dietitian 2,993 graduates / yr147 institutions - Clinical Nutrition/CIP 51.3102
Nutritionist 904 graduates / yr45 institutions - Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesCIP 51.3199450 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Dietitian AssistantCIP 51.3104partial data406 graduates / yr9 institutions
See all Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs →
Common questions
What is a Dietetic Technician?+
A Dietetic Technician supports registered dietitians in implementing nutritional plans and providing client services.
What degree do I need to become a Dietetic Technician?+
Most positions require an Associate's degree, although other awards may also be accepted.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills such as client interviewing, dietary planning, food safety, and supervision of food services.
What is the job outlook for Dietetic Technicians?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.5% and around 4,000 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Dietetic Technician?+
Dietetic Technician is CIP 51.3103 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (CIP 51.31). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of registered dietitians and nutritionists, to implement nutritional and dietetic plans and provide direct client and patient services. Includes instruction in human nutrition, client interviewing and record keeping, dietary planning, food preparation and safety, food worker supervision, food service establishment monitoring and inspection, and applicable procedures and regulations.
How many institutions offer Dietetic Technician programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Dietetic Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 160 credentials in the year. That is 3.3% of all Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services graduates.
How much do Dietetic Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Dietetic Technicians occupation, which Dietetic Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $37,640 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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