Highest-Paying Dietary Aide Jobs [2023] - Zippia (2024)

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of dietary aides that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of dietary aides:

• Clinical Dietitian is the highest-paid type of dietary aide with an average salary of $59,133 and an average hourly rate of $28.43.

• The second highest-paying type of dietary aide is dietitian, with an average salary of $58,480.

• The average dietary aide salary is $28,005 per year, and the average hourly pay is $13.46.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a dietary aide, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of dietary aides are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of dietary aides:

1. Clinical Dietitian

   Average Salary: $59,133

   A clinical dietitian is responsible for providing quality nutritional care for patients by monitoring their current health conditions, advising nutritional and dietary supplements to maintain their healthy lifestyle, and speed up their recovery process. Clinical dietitians often coordinate with other medical professionals to assess food choices and develop nutrition programs for the patients. A clinical dietitian must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry to offer the best services to the patients and accurately handle their inquiries and concerns.

2. Dietitian

   Average Salary: $58,480

   A dietitian’s role is to assist clients in their journey to achieve their health goals. Typically, a dietitian’s responsibilities revolve around interviewing and assessing a client’s diet needs and goals, learning their preferences and restrictions such as allergies, and crafting a personalized nutrition plan. Moreover, it is essential for a dietitian to monitor a client’s progress and maintain information on all accounts. There are also instances where one may promote healthy eating habits to the public, all while keeping abreast of the latest nutrition studies.

3. Registered Dietitian

   Average Salary: $58,227

   A Registered Dietitian assesses the health of individual patients with medical conditions such as diabetes or renal failure. They work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, or other care facilities.

   See Also

   Dietary Aide Job Description: Salary, Duties, Career & MoreDietary Aide Job Description [Updated for 2024]How To Become A Dietary Aide: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia

4. Nutrition Specialist

   Average Salary: $53,989

   Nutrition specialists are skilled professionals who possess detailed knowledge of foods that are necessary for human health and growth. These specialists are required to provide comprehensive nutrition services to patients who are admitted to community health centers and specialty clinics for medical nutrition therapy. They must create diets and meal plans for patients based on their medical and dietary needs. Nutrition specialists must also organize community outreach efforts and other funded nutrition programs to encourage participation from professionals and lay groups.

5. Nutritionist

   Average Salary: $49,877

   A nutritionist is a health professional who helps patients choose the right things to eat and advise them on the health effects of certain foods. By being experts in food and nutrition, nutritionists assess a patient’s dietary habits and create plan menus for them. They usually work closely with patients who have medical issues such as diabetes or those undergoing chemotherapy. Nutritionists are also required to speak to students or employees about the importance of good nutrition and preventing health problems through proper foods.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various dietary aide that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Dietary Aides

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for dietary aides.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Dietary Aide Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid dietary aide job?

   The highest-paid dietary aide job is a clinical dietitian. Clinical Dietitians earn an average salary of $59,133, which is $ 28.43 hourly.

   A clinical dietitian is responsible for providing quality nutritional care for patients by monitoring their current health conditions, advising nutritional and dietary supplements to maintain their healthy lifestyle, and speed up their recovery process. Clinical dietitians often coordinate with other medical professionals to assess food choices and develop nutrition programs for the patients. A clinical dietitian must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry to offer the best services to the patients and accurately handle their inquiries and concerns.

2. What is a good salary for a dietary aide?

   A good salary for a dietary aide is $28,005 or more. The average dietary aide salary is $28,005, so those making at least $28,005 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average dietary aide salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a dietary aide, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $28,005 average, as this includes all dietary aides of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Dietary Aide jobs pay well?

   No, dietary aide jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some dietary aide jobs pay better than others, but the average dietary aide salary of $28,005 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many dietary aide jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of dietary aides earning $0 a year on average.

   Dietary Aides’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a dietary aide. Do your research on the going rate for a dietary aide in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do dietary aides get paid the most?

   Dietary Aides get paid the most in Maine. In Maine, dietary aides earn an average annual salary of $32,884 and an average hourly wage of $15.81.

   Following ME, the states with the highest-paid dietary aides are New York, Oregon, and Montana, with average annual salaries of $32,008, $36,454, and $28,865 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid dietary aide salaries are:

   1. Vancouver, WA – $37,209

   2. Portland, OR – $36,531

   3. Portland, ME – $32,945