Dietitian vs. Nutritionist Explained: Roles, Credentials, and Career Paths

What’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist, and why does it matter?

The roles of dietitian and nutritionist are commonly (albeit incorrectly) used interchangeably in our everyday lexicon. Although they both focus on diets, food, and nutrition, there are significant differences in education requirements, scope, and patient treatment. 

Understanding the differences between these roles is critical for employers because hiring incorrectly could cause serious insurance complications and jeopardize a patient’s eligibility for treatment. Misunderstanding these roles can also result in adverse consequences for aspiring professionals. A student could pursue the wrong career path, wasting time and money.

In this article, we’ll explore the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist, debunk myths about jobs in nutrition, and help you make an informed decision about your career trajectory in one of these two in-demand disciplines.

Despite common comparisons, the roles of dietitians and nutritionists differ greatly when it comes to education, training, and clinical applications. 

A registered dietitian (RD) or a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is a healthcare professional who has received specialized education in nutrition science. RDs typically hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution, complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice, and pass a national registered dietitian exam.¹ To keep their credentials, RDs are required to participate in continuing education, which can include attending industry events, webinars, or training to keep their knowledge and skills fresh and current.  

In practice, RDs and RDNs are authorized to provide medical nutrition therapy in clinical, hospital, and public health settings.² In these environments, professionals use evidence-based knowledge to help develop nutrition plans, manage complex dietary needs, and support community nutrition programs. Insurance reimbursement is possible for RDs because their positions are regulated. 

On the other hand, the role of a nutritionist is more broadly defined. To become a licensed nutritionist, individuals typically pursue certifications like Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) or Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN), which qualify them for work in wellness, fitness, or holistic healthcare environments. Because nutritionists are largely unregulated, there is room for wide specialization and scope of practice. 

In the United States, only individuals who’ve satisfied educational and professional requirements can call themselves an RD or an RDN.³ In contrast, nutritionists do not require a rigorous education to work in their field. Because of this distinction, RDs and RDNs can call themselves nutritionists, but not all nutritionists can call themselves registered dietitians.

Becoming a registered dietitian or a licensed nutritionist often involves different educational and training pathways. In this section, we’ll break down the common trajectories for these two professional paths and identify their differences.

Registered dietitian education and credentialing

The journey to become a registered dietitian is often more rigorous and structured than that of a nutritionist. 

First, RDs need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related field, followed by a master’s degree from a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).⁴ Degree holders must then complete between 1,000 and 2,000 hours of supervised practice. This must be done as part of an ACEND-accredited internship or program, and can overlap with the student’s undergraduate or graduate education. Then, students must pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)’s national exam to become an RD or RDN.⁵

Once they have passed the exam, the next step is to apply for a license or nutrition certification from their state to become either a Licensed Dietitian (LD) or Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN). As professionals, RDs and RDNs are required to complete continuing education throughout their careers.

Nutrition certification and education

Unlike RDs and RDNs, the education required to become a nutritionist is less stringent. Nutritionists may pursue bachelor’s degrees in subjects like nutrition, dietetics, or health science, while others may opt out of higher education.  Some states require nutritionists to be licensed, while others allow more flexibility in education and training.⁶ 

One license an aspiring nutrition expert can receive is the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) designation.⁷ To apply for this license, candidates must have completed a master’s or doctoral degree in nutrition or a related field plus 1,000 hours of supervised practice. They also need to pass a national exam and participate in continuing education to maintain their credentials. 

Aspiring nutritionists who’d prefer to bypass the extensive education and training can explore other paths in nutrition, including obtaining a certificate as a holistic nutritionist or pursuing a certification from professional organizations like the American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA) or the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Taking this path can open a wider variety of nutrition roles and expand the scope of practice beyond the traditional clinical settings.

Dietitians and nutritionists play important roles in human health, but their scopes of practice—day-to-day responsibilities, work environments, and career outlooks—vary greatly. In this section, we’ll examine how these two careers differ.

Although dietitians and nutritionists play key roles in patients’ health, they cannot prescribe medication.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow by 7% between 2021 and 2033, to offset the loss of workers who leave the occupation and to accommodate the needs of an aging population.

The average annual nutritionist and dietitian salary in 2024 was $73,850, or $35.50 per hour.¹⁰ Because of their advanced education and specialty training, dietitians may see higher average salaries, like in California, where they can exceed $80,000 per year.¹¹ Dietitians with advanced credentials and licenses can expand their services and expertise by exploring roles in nutrition leadership, where salaries are even higher. 

Nutritionists’ salaries vary more widely due to the range of roles and settings in which they conduct business.

Dietitian and nutritionist specializations

Dietitians and nutritionists can explore a range of specializations that allow them to focus on niche areas in their field.

There are areas of overlap when it comes to dietitian and nutritionist specializations. For example, both professionals can advise on healthy eating habits and nutrition counseling. Regardless of how they choose to specialize, both dietitians and nutritionists have the foundation to help individuals meet their nutritional goals.

Whether you’re a dietitian or nutritionist, it’s important to adhere to regulations, especially when it comes to community-wide and public health nutrition programs. 

With advanced training and credentialing, RDs are qualified to implement evidence-based interventions in areas like school meal planning and nutrition monitoring for maternal health, chronic disease prevention, and mental health. RDs also play a major role in government nutrition policy, like food security efforts and staying current on guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Regulations and oversight help ensure dietitians are prepared and able to implement public health initiatives 

Nutritionists also contribute to public health nutrition through community programs that emphasize wellness education. This might include providing culturally relevant nutritional guidance, group health coaching, and workplace wellness programs that promote healthy eating habits. Nutritionists focus on preventive health, behavior change, and community engagement.

When deciding whether to pursue a path that will lead to a career as a dietitian or a nutritionist, there are many things to consider. Next, we’ll cover the considerations for each career path to help you make an informed decision.

The main considerations for making this decision involve the setting you’d like to work in, the regulatory hoops you may need to jump through to get your desired position, and the time and resources you have to commit to education and training.