Dietetic Technicians
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.
Common Job Titles
- Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician)
- Diet Technician Registered (DTR)
- Dietary Aide
- Nutrition Technician
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- MindsetAdvocate for patient-centered nutritional care and dietary modifications when collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.Proficient
- KnowledgeMonitor food service processes, quality control standards, and patient meal delivery to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and institutional policies.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate nutritional programs and food service operations for compliance with established dietary guidelines under dietitian supervision in healthcare or institutional settings.Developing
- KnowledgeAnalyze patient dietary requirements and nutritional assessments using electronic medical records and nutritional software tools.Developing
- MindsetEngage with patients and clients to support nutritional education and dietary adherence demonstrating cultural sensitivity and service orientation.Developing
- Hands-onPerform anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and body composition assessments using medical scales, measuring tapes, and body-fat calipers.Developing
- KnowledgeApply principles of nutrition science to menu planning and meal production following standardized recipes and dietary protocols for diverse populations.Developing
- KnowledgeDemonstrate teaching methods for nutrition and food safety education to individuals and groups in clinical, community, or institutional settings.Developing
- Hands-onOperate commercial kitchen equipment including ovens, mixers, slicers, and food scales following food safety and sanitation regulations during meal preparation.Developing
- KnowledgeCompute portion sizes, nutrient content, and food costs using specialized nutrition software and spreadsheet applications.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Dietetic Technicians (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
29,950
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $28,280. 25th percentile: U.S. $32,460. 50th percentile: U.S. $37,040. 75th percentile: U.S. $44,290. 90th percentile: U.S. $53,440. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $28,280 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $53,440 |
| Workers on average earn | $39,560 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- English Language4.5/5
- Education and Training4.2/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- Appointment scheduling software
- Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
- CBORD Nutrition Service Suite
- Computrition Nutrition Care Management NCM Select
- CyberSoft NutriBase
- Cybersoft Primero Software Suite
- Desktop publishing software
- DietMaster Systems Clinical Nutrition
Tools & Equipment
- Body-fat calipers
- Commercial kitchen food slicers
- Commercial kitchen knives
- Commercial kitchen microwave ovens
- Commercial kitchen mixers
- Commercial kitchen ovens
- Commercial kitchen stoves
- Desktop computers