Healthcare practitioners
Dietetic technician
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.
Median pay
$37,640
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
4,200
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Dietetic technician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Dietetic technician: 31% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Cook Chill Technician (CCT) · Diet Assistant · Diet Clerk · Diet Tech (Diet Technician) · Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician) · Diet Technician Registered (DTR) · Dietary Aide · Dietetic Assistant
Outlook and AI
Dietetic technicians held 32,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 32,900 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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- Dietetic technician vs. Community health worker
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