by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Dietetic Technician explores Dietetic Technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Registered Dietitians And Nutritionists, To Implement Nutritional And Dietetic Plans And Provide Direct Client And Patient Services. Includes Instruction In Human Nutrition, Client Interviewing And Record Keeping, Dietary Planning, Food Preparation And Safety, Food Worker Supervision, Food Service Establishment Monitoring And Inspection, And Applicable Procedures And Regulations. Examples: [Dietetic Technician (Dtr)], [Registered Dietetic Technician (Dtr)]. Read on to learn the essential details every dietetic technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dietetic technician programs.
Nationwide, dietetic technician is a widely-pursued major, with 159 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dietetic Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 20 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dietetic technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dietetic technician programs later in this article.
Programs in Dietetic Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dietetic technician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a dietetic technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a dietetic technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dietetic technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 61 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 16 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 69 |
People currently working in careers related to dietetic technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 34.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 26.9% |
| Some college courses | 14.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dietetic technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying dietetic technician prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to dietetic technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dietetic technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of dietetic technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,296 |
| 4 years | $49,100 |
| 5 years | $54,879 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dietetic technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dietetic technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
With 20 different dietetic technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dietetic technician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in dietetic technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 3,028 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 919 |
| Dietitian Assistant | 615 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other | 465 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
