Side by side
| Nutritionist | Registered dietitian | |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | None required by the title alone; the CNS is one option | RD or RDN |
| Education | Varies; the CNS requires a master's or doctorate | Minimum of a master's degree |
| Supervised practice | Required for the CNS | Dietetic internship |
| State rules | Licensing, registration or none, by state | Licensing, registration or none, by state |
Why the title matters
Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed, others require only state registration or certification to use certain titles, and a few have no rules for this work. So what a "nutritionist" must have done depends on where they work.
Pay data
The BLS publishes one wage figure for dietitians and nutritionists together. There is no official way to compare the two groups' pay separately, and this page does not try to.
Projected job growth for the whole group is 7.7% from 2025 to 2035.
Questions people ask
Is a nutritionist the same as a dietitian?
Not necessarily. A registered dietitian has a defined credential, while the meaning of "nutritionist" depends on state rules and on any credential the person holds.
What does it take to become a registered dietitian?
At minimum a master's degree and a dietetic internship, which can be combined in a coordinated program.
How much do dietitians make?
The national median for dietitians and nutritionists together was $76,400 in May 2025.
Sources
General information, not career advice. Scope of practice and licensing differ by state: confirm them with your state board.