14 Careers in Nutrition and Food Science

Nutrition is the branch of food science that addresses the essential nutrients that aid human survival. A career in nutrition provides the opportunity to educate people about healthy eating habits and teach them alternative ways to manage their health issues using nutritional food. Learning about careers in nutrition can help you make a more informed decision about your career path. In this article, we discuss 14 careers in nutrition and food science and answer a few frequently asked questions about working in this field.

What are careers in nutrition?

Careers in nutrition include a wide range of jobs, such as those that involve developing nutrition programs, providing nutritional advice, engaging in health promotion and working in the food industry. The field of nutrition has numerous unique job opportunities for people interested in improving human health. If you’re interested in helping people lose weight by teaching them responsible eating habits or helping others manage a chronic medical condition and make appropriate dietary choices, you may want to consider a career in nutrition science. Nutrition careers allow you to work in a food company, lab or restaurant. You might also work in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or health clinic. There are many areas you may specialize in if you’re interested in a long-term career in nutrition and food science. A few of these might include:

• Food safety 
• Public policy
• Diet and dietary plans
• Food production
• Nutrition therapy

Related: 10 Careers in Holistic Nutrition (Plus Primary Duties)

Careers in nutrition and food science

If you’re interested in nutrition, it can be helpful to explore the different career options that are out there. Here are 14 careers in nutrition, including the national average salary and some information about each role. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries:

1. Nutrition aide

National average salary: $38,595 per yearPrimary duties: A nutritional aide ensures that patients in a healthcare setting receive the correct food portions and have their special dietary requests met. They assist in the preparation of meals, desserts and beverages. They also serve food based on the dietary requirements of their patients. These aids are responsible for following the correct safety procedures, reporting any hazards and providing compassionate care to patients.Find nutrition aide jobs

2. Food service associate

National average salary: $40,936 per yearPrimary duties: Food service associates work in cafeterias, cafes, restaurants and other places that serve food. They maintain food inventories, restock items as needed and manage the cash register if required. They also help prepare meals, deliver food to customers and assist with dishwashing and other activities. Find food service associate jobsRelated: What Does a Food Service Specialist Do? (Plus Outlook and Salary)

3. Health coach

National average salary: $47,708 per yearPrimary duties: A health coach helps their clients achieve their nutritional and exercise goals by offering them advice on nutrition, fitness and lifestyle changes. They conduct one-on-one consultations with clients and may also conduct group coaching sessions. Some health coaches work alongside medical personnel as specialists in specific healthcare settings. They often manage multiple clients at once and motivate them to follow their health plans.Find health coach jobsRelated: 9 of the Best Health Coach Certification Programs To Pursue

4. Registered dietetic technician

National average salary: $52,559 per yearPrimary duties: A registered dietetic technician works under the supervision of a dietitian to create and implement food service and nutritional programs. They help dietitians produce meal plans, provide instruction on the principles of food and nutrition and counsel clients as needed. These technicians often help athletes with their nutritional needs. They may work in medical facilities, sports nutrition companies and other organizations. Find registered dietetic technician jobsRelated: How To Become a Dietetic Technician

5. Nutrition writer

National average salary: $53,537 per yearPrimary duties: Nutrition writers create content for nutrition blogs, magazines and other publications. They write about topics related to food, diet and nutrition. They may use their previous experience working in nutrition jobs to advise their readers on how to best maintain their health and follow a healthy diet. These writers may also create guest posts on other blogs and health websites.Find nutrition writer jobs

6. Chef

National average salary: $55,369 per yearPrimary duties: A chef is a professional cook who works in a kitchen and is responsible for all aspects of food preparation. Besides preparing and cooking food, chefs manage the kitchen staff and perform administrative work like budgeting, ordering new ingredients and receiving food supplies. A chef is also responsible for ensuring that all kitchen staff follow the proper safety and sanitation standards.Find chef jobsRead more: Learn About What a Chef Does

7. Caterer

National average salary: $55,739 per yearPrimary duties: Caterers prepare nutritious meals and transport them to special events like birthdays, weddings, graduations and company celebrations. They typically prepare meals offsite after meeting with clients to discuss their preferred menu, special dietary restrictions and budget. They then plate and serve food while making sure they distribute an equal amount and don’t damage any items. Caterers may also assist in the clean-up process after the event they’ve catered ends. Find caterer jobsRead more: What Does a Caterer Do? (Plus Salary and Requirements)

8. Health educator

National average salary: $55,745 per yearPrimary duties: Health educators implement and manage community outreach programs and youth development programs to help create an awareness of healthy living and its benefits. They prepare informative guides and design health education and exercise programs and activities for specific target demographics. They also collect data on the efficacy of their programs to incorporate into reports to share with funders. Find health educator jobs

9. Food technologist

National average salary: $60,636 per yearPrimary duties: Food technologists design and conduct shelf-life studies, industrial trials and sensory testing to improve the quality of food. They’re responsible for the entire food development process. They conduct research on how to improve the nutritional quality of food and beverages and ensure the ingredients in their products meet special regulatory and dietary requirements.Find food technologist jobsRelated: How To Become a Food Technologist in 5 Steps

10. Nutritionist

National average salary: $64,386 per yearPrimary duties: A nutritionist is a healthcare specialist who assesses the health status of a patient and recommends changes in diet to better address their nutritional needs. Nutritionists help patients who want to lose weight, better manage a disease or disorder like diabetes and alleviate painful symptoms. Nutritionists work with patients to create a wellness plan supported by nutritious meals and document their progress to ensure that they maintain a healthy lifestyle. They may also specialize in a specific type of patient, such as those struggling with an eating disorder.Find nutritionist jobsRead more: Learn About Being a Nutritionist

11. Food scientist

National average salary: $80,992 per yearPrimary duties: Food scientists create processed food and beverage products using the combined principles of microbiology and chemistry. They research ways to integrate nutritional supplements into different foods and test the foods they create to ensure that they’re safe to consume. These scientists might also evaluate existing products to ensure that they’re compliant with current nutritional standards and regulations. Find food scientist jobsRelated: What Does a Food Scientist Do? (And How To Become One)

12. Dietitian

National average salary: $81,482 per yearPrimary duties: Dietitians create diet plans for clients who want to lose weight or improve their eating habits. They conduct scientific research to discover ways to promote health, prevent disease and improve the dietary choices of people who are ill or have a food-related disorder. They help their clients improve their overall health by assessing and diagnosing problems with their eating habits and devising and implementing a comprehensive nutritional health plan. Dietitians also review their clients’ progress regularly. Find dietitian jobsRead more: What Does a Dietician Do? (Plus How To Become One)

13. Food safety auditor

National average salary: $64,060 per yearPrimary duties: Food safety auditors conduct audits of businesses that offer food services and sell food, including grocery stores, food vendors and restaurants. They also assess the nutritional programs at schools, universities and institutions like mental health facilities and prisons to ensure that they’re following federal nutritional guidelines. These auditors typically work for government agencies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).