Dietitian and Nutritionist Career Assessment
Food, nutrition, and health — ND in-demand occupation
Welcome
Dietitians and nutritionists use food and nutrition to help people manage health problems and live healthier lives.
You will explore what this science-based, people-focused career is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Dietitian and Nutritionist?
A dietitian plans nutrition care for patients and communities. They work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and public health. They help people with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, feeding problems, and more.
The Reality: Changing how people eat is hard. Many patients do not want to change, and you cannot make them. You need patience, good listening skills, and strong science knowledge.
Your Responsibilities:
- Meet with patients to learn their health and eating habits
- Create nutrition plans for health conditions
- Calculate tube feeding and IV nutrition in hospitals
- Teach patients and families about food and health
- Work with doctors and nurses on patient care
- Plan menus for hospitals, schools, or nursing homes
- Run community nutrition programs (like WIC)
- Write notes in the medical record
You are a science expert and a teacher at the same time.
A Day in the Life
8:00 AM — Review the hospital list. Six patients need nutrition checks today.
8:30 AM — See a patient on a feeding tube in the ICU. Adjust the formula with the care team.
10:00 AM — Teach a newly diagnosed diabetic patient how to read food labels.
11:30 AM — Team meeting with nurses and doctors about patient care.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
1:00 PM — Check an older patient who is losing weight. Suggest changes to meals.
2:30 PM — Write notes in the medical record.
3:30 PM — Review menus with the hospital kitchen.
A mix of science, teaching, and teamwork, usually during regular hours.
Training in North Dakota
A master's degree is now required to become a Registered Dietitian. Since 2024, you need a graduate degree plus a supervised practice program (about 1,000 hours) to take the national RD exam.
Training Pathways:
- Bachelor's degree (4 years): Nutrition or dietetics, with lots of science.
- Master's degree + supervised practice (1–2 years): Required for the RD exam. Some programs combine these.
- Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR): A shorter path (associate or bachelor's) to work under a dietitian.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- North Dakota State University (Fargo) — Dietetics programs, including graduate options
- University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) — Nutrition and Dietetics programs, including graduate options
- Online graduate and supervised practice programs from other states are also options
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. Strong biology and chemistry. College courses in chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like tuition, exam fees, or supplies. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Some ND employers also help pay for training if you agree to work for them afterward.
Certification & Licensing
North Dakota requires a state license. The ND Board of Dietetic Practice licenses dietitians (LRD) and nutritionists (LN).
What You Need:
- RDN credential — pass the national exam from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- ND license: Licensed Registered Dietitian (LRD)
- Licensed Nutritionist (LN): a separate path with its own board-approved exam
The Exams: The RD exam is computer-based and adaptive, about 2.5 hours, with 125–145 questions.
Cost: About $200 for the RD exam, plus the ND license fee. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Keeping It Current: ND requires 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years, matching the CDR cycle.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $28.78–$30.80/hour ($59,860–$64,060/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $33.67/hour ($70,040/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $38.45–$41.47/hour ($79,980–$86,260/year)
What that means: Pay in ND is a bit below the national median. Bismarck pays more than Fargo or Grand Forks for this job.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 240 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 270 (about 9% growth). Expect about 20 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 6% growth — faster than average.
Outlook: Good. Growing faster in ND than nationally, with about 20 openings a year. Rural hospitals and nursing homes often share a dietitian or hire part-time.
Who Hires in ND: Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and long-term care, public health (like WIC), schools and colleges, tribal health programs, and food service companies. Some telehealth and remote jobs exist.
Work Setting: Hospitals, clinics, offices, and community programs. Mostly daytime hours. Some weekend coverage in hospitals.
Physical Demands: Light. Walking between patient rooms, some standing, and a lot of computer work.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 29-1031); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Clinical Specialist — Focus on diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, or children.
Path 2: Sports Dietitian — Work with athletes and teams.
Path 3: Public Health — Lead community nutrition programs like WIC.
Path 4: Food Service Director — Run the food program for a hospital or school district.
Path 5: Private Practice — Counsel clients on your own, in person or by telehealth.
Path 6: Teaching or Research — Teach at a college or study nutrition.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Help people improve their health
- Science-based and respected
- Mostly regular hours
- Many different settings
- Growing field in ND
- Telehealth options
What's Hard:
- Master's degree plus supervised practice required
- Patients may not follow your advice
- Lots of science and math in school
- Pay is modest for the schooling
- Supervised practice spots can be competitive
- Lots of charting
- People think anyone can give nutrition advice
- Rural jobs may be part-time or shared
Be Honest: Do you like science and helping people change habits? Are you ready for a master's degree? Can you stay patient when people do not follow your advice?