How much does a dietetic technician make?
The median dietetic technician in the United States earns $37,640 per year, about $18.09 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dietetic technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-2051.
Dietetic technician salary range
Pay for dietetic technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,720 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $54,020. The average (mean) wage of $40,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,720 | $14.29 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $33,880 | $16.29 | |
| Median (50th) | $37,640 | $18.09 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,750 | $22.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $54,020 | $25.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dietetic technicians (SOC 29-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Dietetic technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dietetic technicians earn the most in Oregon at $54,670 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $28,690. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $54,670 | 60 |
| New York | $50,420 | 1,580 |
| Colorado | $47,810 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $47,610 | 170 |
| Washington | $47,000 | 290 |
| California | $46,410 | 6,310 |
| Arizona | $45,970 | 370 |
| Hawaii | $43,580 | 130 |
| Illinois | $42,550 | 590 |
| Maine | $42,320 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $42,040 | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $41,830 | 230 |
| Ohio | $41,380 | 660 |
| Delaware | $41,280 | 150 |
| District of Columbia | $40,810 | 190 |
| Utah | $40,580 | 890 |
| New Jersey | $40,530 | 400 |
| Montana | $40,040 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $39,760 | 910 |
| Rhode Island | $39,400 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $38,840 | 130 |
| Virginia | $38,790 | 460 |
| Wisconsin | $38,750 | 410 |
| Nebraska | $37,760 | 100 |
| Nevada | $37,630 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $37,580 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $36,770 | 450 |
| Michigan | $36,420 | 3,060 |
| Missouri | $36,100 | 290 |
| North Dakota | $35,890 | 90 |
| Iowa | $35,220 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $35,210 | 260 |
| Kansas | $35,060 | 140 |
| Florida | $34,740 | 2,420 |
| Georgia | $34,240 | 490 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,090 | 2,300 |
| Maryland | $33,710 | 1,670 |
| Idaho | $32,620 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $31,900 | 210 |
| Indiana | $31,660 | 690 |
| North Carolina | $31,010 | 1,300 |
| Texas | $30,280 | 1,360 |
| Kentucky | $28,970 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $28,860 | 190 |
| Mississippi | $28,690 | 120 |
State median wages for dietetic technicians (SOC 29-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dietetic technicians
The BLS projects employment of dietetic technicians to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,200 openings a year for dietetic technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dietetic technician
The typical entry-level education for dietetic technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dietetic technician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $54,670) and the lowest (Mississippi, $28,690) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 31,560 people work as dietetic technicians in the United States. At $37,640 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dietetic technician salary FAQ
How much does a dietetic technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dietetic technician is $18.09. The middle half of dietetic technicians earn between $16.29 and $22.00 per hour.
What is the highest dietetic technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dietetic technicians earn more than $54,020 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dietetic technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a dietetic technician is $37,640. The average (mean) wage of $40,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dietetic technician a well paid job?
At $37,640 a year, a dietetic technician earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 31,560 people work as dietetic technicians in the United States.
Which state pays dietetic technicians the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for dietetic technicians at $54,670 a year. New York ($50,420) and Colorado ($47,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a dietetic technician a good career?
Employment of dietetic technicians is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dietetic technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dietetic technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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