Dietetic Technician: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dietetic Technicians play a vital role in supporting health and wellness by executing nutrition plans under the guidance of registered dietitians and nutritionists. This program equips students with the technical expertise and hands-on skills needed to deliver effective nutritional care across clinical, community, and food service environments.
- Human Nutrition: Explores the physiological and biochemical roles of nutrients in the body, emphasizing how dietary intake influences health and disease prevention.
- Client Interviewing and Record Keeping: Develops skills in gathering dietary histories, assessing nutritional needs, and maintaining accurate, confidential health records.
- Dietary Planning: Focuses on creating individualized meal plans that meet specific medical, cultural, and lifestyle requirements.
- Food Preparation and Safety: Covers safe food handling, sanitation protocols, and best practices in meal production to prevent contamination and ensure quality.
- Food Worker Supervision: Teaches leadership and coordination techniques for managing food service staff and maintaining operational efficiency.
- Food Service Establishment Monitoring and Inspection: Prepares students to evaluate compliance with health codes, operational standards, and safety regulations in institutional and commercial kitchens.
- Applicable Procedures and Regulations: Provides familiarity with federal, state, and local guidelines governing food service operations, dietary standards, and patient care protocols.
Dietetic Technician Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dietetic Technician Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dietetic Technician degrees, including Dietetic Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 29,950 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians 29-2051 | $37,040 | $28,280 - $53,440 | 29,950 | $17.81 |
Dietetic Technician Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $27,910 in Kentucky to $52,800 in Oregon—a 89% difference. The highest-paying states include Oregon, New York, and New Hampshire. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 29,950 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Dietetic Technician by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 20 institutions offering Dietetic Technician programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Dietetic Technician is found at Lindsey Hopkins Technical College (LHTC) (33 graduates), Tarrant County College District (TCCD) (26 graduates), Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (16 graduates), Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) (16 graduates), and Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 159 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsey Hopkins Technical College (LHTC) |
Other Award
|
33 | Miami, Florida | Public | lindseyhopkins.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | South Portland, Maine | Public | smccme.edu |
| Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Canandaigua, New York | Public | flcc.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
6 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Residency
|
6 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Utica, New York | Public | mvcc.edu |
| Northland Community and Technical College |
Associate's
|
3 | Thief River Falls, Minnesota | Public | northlandcollege.edu |
| Camden County College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Public | camdencc.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Other Award
|
3 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Merritt College |
Associate's
|
1 | Oakland, California | Public | merritt.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| Neosho County Community College (NCCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Chanute, Kansas | Public | neosho.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dietetic Technician programs
How much can I earn with a Dietetic Technician degree?
Salaries for Dietetic Technician graduates vary by role and location. Dietetic Technicians earn a median of $37,040 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Oregon average $52,800 compared to $27,910 in Kentucky. Approximately 29,950 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Dietetic Technician programs?
Currently 20 accredited institutions offer Dietetic Technician degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Lindsey Hopkins Technical College (LHTC) (33 graduates), Tarrant County College District (TCCD) (26 graduates), and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (16 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Dietetic Technician growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 149 in 2010 to a peak of 253 in 2020, before declining slightly to 159 in 2023-24. This represents a 7% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Dietetic Technician degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Dietetic Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 29,950 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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