Compensation & Benefits Survey 2009: Despite Overall Downturn in Economy, RD and DTR Salaries Rise

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Compensation & Benefits Survey 2009: Despite Overall
Downturn in Economy, RD and DTR Salaries Rise
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Results of the American Dietetic As-sociation Compensation & BenefitsSurvey of the Dietetics Profession2009 show RD and DTR pay in-crease at more than twice the rate ofinflation.

esults are in for the fourth edi-tion of the most comprehensivesurvey of dietetics compensation

vailable, and the news for most die-etics practitioners is positive. Theompensation & Benefits Survey of

he Dietetics Profession 2009, spon-ored by the American Dietetic Asso-iation (ADA), shows that registeredietitians (RDs) and dietetic techni-ians, registered (DTRs), experiencedage gains substantially higher than

nflation since the 2007 survey. RDedian annualized wages are now at

56,700, up from $53,000 in 2007; DTRedian annualized wages are now

39,000, up from $36,000. Wage gainsaried by specific dietetics position,ith some surging and a few lagging.he importance of increasing educa-ion, responsibility, and supervisoryuthority to increase compensation ispparent. And dietetics practitionersontinue to receive attractive benefitsackages.

RACTITIONER PROFILEietetics Employment Defineds in all prior administrations (2002

1], 2005 [2], and 2007 [3]), the survey

This article was written by BrianWard of Readex Research,Stillwater, MN. His firm wasresponsible for the design,execution, and reporting of theAmerican Dietetic AssociationCompensation & Benefits Surveyof the Dietetics Profession 2009.

Address correspondence to:Brian Ward, Readex Research,2251 Tower Drive West, Still-water, MN 55082, or [email protected].
doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.11.007
2010 by the American Dietetic Associat

ought to measure compensation forietetics-related employment, whichas purposely conceived broadly:

A dietetics-related position is consid-ered to be any position that requires ormakes use of your education, train-ing, and/or experience in dietetics ornutrition, including situations out-side of “traditional” dietetics practice.

By way of example, respondentsere referred to an enclosure namingnd briefly describing 59 core dietet-cs positions. These positions includedot only “traditional” dietetics jobsuch as clinical dietitian, outpatientietitian, or Special Supplementalutrition Program for Women, In-

ABOUT THE SURVEYOver the years, the American Dietetirequests from members for objectivnorms for pay and benefit levels for tto members’ needs in 2002 by commiBenefits Survey, the most comprehenup to that point. To continue to provcan Dietetic Association has fundesurvey in 2005, 2007, and now in 2initial effort and improving it with s

The 2009 survey was conducted athe population of all domestic Acti(N�51,094) plus all domestic nonmtion as an RD or DTR (N�29,022). Tresearch firm was contracted to collthrough July 31, 2009.

The 2009 survey carries forwardsenting results not only at the levelterms of the specific jobs (includingners hold. A key question asked res(from a set of 59 core positions) themployment. These data representestimated 94% of dietetics employm

From the mailed sample of 30,000received—a 32% response rate. Theners is �1.0%; for the 7,129 practiciDTRs, �3.1%.

The strong response rate, plus tprofessionals is represented in the
exhaustive investigation of compensati
ion Jour

ants, and Children (WIC) nutrition-st, but also jobs in such areas as con-ulting, sales, and communications.Based on this definition of dietetics-

elated employment, about one ineven respondents (15%) reportedhey are not currently employed orelf-employed in a dietetics-relatedosition. Among the small group ofractitioners not currently registereds RDs or DTRs, that figure jumps to3% (Table 1).

ffects of Current Economyetween June 2008 and July 2009,

he unemployment rate (among theivilian labor force) in the United

ssociation (ADA) has received manyeliable information about industry

dietetics profession. ADA respondedoning the Dietetics Compensation &e survey of its type in the professionthis valuable resource, the Ameri-

updates of that original extensive9, building on the strengths of theeral refinements.ss a probability sample drawn fromand Active-Eligible ADA membersbers maintaining current registra-preserve confidentiality, an outsidedata via mail survey from June 1

ey feature of the prior efforts, pre-registration (RD, DTR), but also intraditional jobs) dietetics practitio-ndents to identify the one positionmost closely matched their actuale specific jobs that account for an.total of 9,556 usable responses wasrgin of error for the 8,115 practitio-RDs, �1.1%; for the 875 practicing

fact that more than one in ninebulated sample, again provides an

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tates increased from 5.6% to 9.4%.hose employed in dietetics-relatedrofessions were apparently not im-une to this trend. Among all respon-

ents, the percentage not working indietetics-related position, but whoould like to/expect to in the future,

s 8.8%.About one in eight respondents re-

ort being directly affected by theownturn in the economy. Twelveercent indicated they had experi-nced a dietetics job loss in the previ-us 12 months (prior to the surveydministration in June/July 2009)ue to economic conditions, such astaff reductions, facility closings, etc.However, only 8% of these respon-

ents who had lost their jobs are stillut of work and seeking employment.nd an additional 2% have chosen to

etire or leave the profession entirely.nstead, most did find new employ-ent in the dietetics profession.inety percent indicated they are

urrently employed or self-employedn a dietetics-related position. Un-nown (not addressed in the survey)s whether their new positions are athe same level of authority or com-ensation as the jobs they lost.To help understand who may have

een most affected by economic-re-ated job losses, selected personal androfessional characteristics of thosexperiencing such losses, and thoseho did not, were compared. These

nclude factors such as sex, age, race,ducation, number of years experi-nce in dietetics/nutrition, coming toietetics as a second career, creden-ialing/licensing, and membership inDA. On all of these factors, profilesre nearly identical, meaning theseharacteristics did not significantlynfluence the incidence of losing one’sob.

Regarding credentials, the inci-ence of being registered as an RD orTR does not correlate with the inci-ence of losing one’s job. However, not

Table 1. Incidence of dietetics-related emplothe Dietetics Profession 2009

Registered dietitiansDietetic technicians, registeredNonregistered practitionersAll professionals

eing registered as either an RD or s

6 January 2010 Volume 110 Number 1

TR does show moderately increasedncidence of job loss. Seventeen per-ent of these “non-registered” indi-ated experiencing a dietetics-relatedob loss in the past 12 months due toconomic conditions. This compareso 12% of RDs and 12% DTRs.

The balance of the results discussedere reflect the 8,115 sample mem-ers who indicated they are currentlymployed or self-employed in a dietet-cs-related position (“practitioners”).hose who were employed or self-em-loyed in more than one such positionere asked to respond only for what

hey considered to be their primaryietetics-related position.

ho Are Dietetics Practitioners?inety-six percent of practitionersre female. The median age is 47; 22%re 55 or older, while 24% are under5. Three percent indicated Hispaniceritage, and 9% indicated a racether than white (5% Asian/Nativeawaiian/Pacific Islander, 3% Black/frican American, and 1% other).By definition, virtually all RDs hold

t least a bachelor’s degree, 46% wentn to achieve master’s degrees, and% doctoral degrees. Among DTRs,8% hold a bachelor’s degree origher.Seventy-four percent of practicingDs are members of the ADA, com-ared to only 43% of practicing DTRs.The typical (median) RD reports 17

ears of work experience in dietetics/utrition (excluding time taken off toeturn to school, raise a family, orork in other areas); the median forTRs is slightly higher, at 18 years.orty-five percent of all practitionersave 20 or more years of work expe-ience in dietetics/nutrition, whereas3% have less than 5 years.

here Do They Work?ight percent of practitioners are

nt, from Compensation & Benefits Survey of

. responding % in dietetics

37 8654 8365 6756 85

elf-employed, 30% work for a for- t

rofit firm, 41% for a nonprofit, and0% for government. Self-employments more common among RDs thanTRs (9% vs 2%, respectively), while areater proportion of DTRs are foundn the nonprofit sector (40% of RDs,0% of DTRs). These figures havehanged little since 2002 (Figure 1).

The most common employment set-ing for both RDs and DTRs is acuteare—inpatient (26% and 33%, re-pectively). Thirty-one percent ofTRs work in a long-term care, ex-

ended care, or assisted living facility,ompared to only 11% of RDs. Thir-een percent of RDs work in an am-ulatory/outpatient care center, com-ared to only 1% of DTRs. Sevenercent of RDs and 8% of DTRs workn a community or public health pro-ram (Figure 2).The typical (median) practitionerorks in an organization employing96 people at all locations. RDs tendo work in larger organizations thanTRs (medians 969 and 500, respec-

self-employed8%

for-profit30%

on-profit41%

government20%

igure 1. Employment sector of dieteticsractitioners (n�8,115), from Compensation &enefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession009.

26%

11%

13%

7%

7%

6%

33%

31%

1%

8%

3%

5%

cute care-inpatient

LTC, extended,assisted living

ambulatory /outpatient care

community /public health

college, university,teaching hospital

governmentRDs

DTRs

igure 2. Work setting of practicing registeredietitians (RDs) (n�7,129) and practicing die-etic technicians, registered (DTRs) (n�875),rom Compensation & Benefits Survey of theietetics Profession 2009. LTC�long-termare.

yme

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hat Jobs Do Practitioners Hold?espondents were asked to review a

ist of 59 core position titles and briefescriptions and identify the one de-cription that most closely matchedheir primary position, even if the jobitle differed from their own.

Ninety-four percent of respondingractitioners found a match; thus, theompensation data reported here rep-esent the vast majority of dieteticsmployment situations.The 59 positions are grouped into

even distinct practice areas, withcute care/inpatient the most preva-ent, and education/research the leastTable 2).

Among RDs, the most commonlyeld positions are found primarily inlinical and outpatient settings (Ta-le 3).Among DTRs, long term care and

oodservice settings are more preva-ent (Table 4).

hat Responsibilities Do Practitionersave?ive percent of RDs and 1% of DTRs

ndicated they are owners of or part-ers in their practice, while 2% ofDs and virtually no DTRs reportedn executive level of responsibility.wenty-one percent of practitionersverall are directors or managers,nd another 18% are supervisors oroordinators (results similar betweenDs and DTRs) (Figure 4). Responsi-ility levels have changed little sincehe 2002 survey.

Forty-three percent of RDs and7% of DTRs reported they directly orndirectly supervise employees, bothdentical to reports in 2007. For thoseupervising, the median number su-ervised is eight for RDs and 14 for

6% 5%

12%

28%

24% 24%

1 (yourself) 2 to 9 10 to 99 100 to999

1,000 to4,999

5,000 +0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

igure 3. Size of organizations employing die-etics practitioners (number of employees at allocations, n�8,115), from Compensation & Ben-fits Survey of the Dietetics Profession 2009.

TRs (Figure 5). p

Twenty-five percent of RDs and3% of DTRs reported managing audget, again marginally more than 2ears ago. Median budget size is361,000 for RDs and $299,000 forTRs, with 11% of RDs and 8% ofTRs managing budgets of $500,000r more (Figure 6).

D COMPENSATIONsignificant fraction of RDs work

Table 2. Practice areas of practicing registdietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) (n�8Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Diete

Clinical nutrition—acute care/inpatientClinical nutrition—ambulatory careClinical nutrition—long-term careCommunityFood and nutrition managementConsultation and businessEducation and research

Table 3. Highest incidence positions amongCompensation & Benefits Survey of the Diete

Clinical dietitianClinical dietitian, specialist—renalNutrition support dietitianOutpatient dietitian, generalOutpatient dietitian, specialist—diabetesOutpatient dietitian, specialist—renalClinical dietitian, long-term careWICa nutritionistPublic health nutritionistDirector of food and nutrition servicesClinical nutrition manager

aWIC�Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Wome

Table 4. Highest incidence positions amo(n�875), from Compensation & Benefits Sur

Dietetic technician, clinicalClinical dietitian, long-term careDietetic technician, long-term careWICa nutritionistDirector of food and nutrition servicesDietetic technician, foodservice management

aWIC�Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Wome

art-time and/or only part of the year. f

January 2010 ● Jour

s defined in this survey, 73% of RDsre employed full-time (35 hours orore per week for 48 weeks or more

er year), up somewhat from 68% in002.Because the prevalence of part-

ime employment can make salaryomparisons difficult, compensations reported in two ways: in terms ofourly wage, and in terms of totalash compensation (which includesot only salary but also earnings

dietitians (RDs) (n�7,129) and practicing, based on primary position selected, from

Profession 2009

RDs (%) DTRs (%)

30 3917 19 17

11 1012 198 27 2

cticing registered dietitians (n�7,129), fromProfession 2009

Registered dietitians (%)

163345495343

fants, and Children.

practicing dietetic technicians, registeedof the Dietetics Profession 2009

Dietetic technicians,registered (%)

364

13859

fants, and Children.

ered75)tics

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issions, bonuses, incentive pay,rofit sharing or distributions, andash retirement benefits received—requently important compensationomponents for consultants, execu-ives, and those in sales positions).ourly wage is assessed for all an-

wering respondents; total cashompensation is examined only forhose working full time for at least 1ear in the position.

edian Wages Up 6.9% Over 2 Yearsmong all RDs in all positions, theedian hourly wage as of April 1,

009, was $27.24 per hour. If annual-zed (�40 hours/week �52 weeks/ear), this equates to a full-time salaryf $56,700 per year, up from $53,000 in007. Median 2009 total cash compen-ation for RDs employed in the positionull time for at least 1 year was $58,000up from $53,300).

These results are higher than theost current Bureau of Labor Statis-

ics (BLS) median wage estimate forietitians and Nutritionists of $24.32er hour (4). Two factors help accountor the discrepancy: the survey datare current as of April 1, 2009, andre thus nearly a year more currenthan the BLS estimate; and BLS doesot restrict its estimate to RDs.At $27.24, the median wage for allDs is up 6.9% from its value of25.48 in the 2007 survey, represent-ng an annualized increase of 3.4%Figure 7). This increase substan-ially exceeds the 1.6% annual changen the Consumer Price Index betweenpril 2007 and April 2009 (5).As in prior years, the wide range ofD compensation continues to be of

nterest: RDs in the top 10% continueo earn more than twice as much perour as those in the bottom 10% (Ta-le 5).Helping to account for that range, a

Table 5. Registered dietitian compensationand total cash compensation for full-time emfrom Compensation & Benefits Survey of the

10th percentile (10% earn less)25th percentile (25% earn less)50th percentile (50% earn less)75th percentile (75% earn less)90th percentile (90% earn less)

umber of factors show strong associ- i


tions with compensation levels forDs. The following series of exhibitsemonstrates the relationship be-ween hourly wage and education, ex-erience, and other factors. Note thatll factors are based on respondentelf-reports and are thus subject toome variation in how terms were un-erstood.

ualifications Matterducation beyond the bachelor’s de-ree continues to be associated withage gains, with the 2009 differenceetween the median wage of RDsith a bachelor’s degree and that ofDs with a master’s degree at $2.67er hour. Earning a PhD is associatedith even more notable gains; median

arnings for those with a doctorate (at40.03) are more than 14 dollars perour above RDs with only a bachelor’segree (Figure 8).Having one or more specialty certi-

cations (eg, CDE, CNSC, and thearious Certified Specialist creden-ials offered by the Commission onietetic Registration) is associatedith an increased median wage, add-

ng $1.93 per hour median wage overhose with no such certifications.

The two credentials associated withhe highest median wages are CFPPCertified Food Protection Professional)t $30.29 and CSSD (Certified Special-st in Sports Dietetics) at $30.79.

DA Memberships in all prior surveys since 2002, re-ults again show a small positive asso-iation between ADA membership andD compensation; typical membersarn $1.23 per hour more than non-embers, an annualized increase of

pproximately $2,600 (Figure 9).

xperience and Responsibility Count, Toos might be expected, years of dietet-

elected percentiles: hourly wage (n�6,587)yees in position at least 1 year (n�4,642),tetics Profession 2009

Hourly wage Total cash

$19.23 $41,000$22.89 $48,100$27.24 $58,000$33.44 $70,700$41.55 $90,000

owner, partner5%

exec, director, mgr22%upervisor, coord

18%

other54%

igure 4. Responsibility level of dietetics prac-itioners (n�8,115), from Compensation & Ben-

56%

9%14% 15%

5%

none 1 to 2 3 to 9 10 to 49 50 +0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

igure 5. Number supervised directly and/orndirectly by dietetics practitioners (n�8,115),rom Compensation & Benefits Survey of the

74%

7% 8% 10%

none < $100K $100K to $499K $500K+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

00%

igure 6. Budget responsibility of dieteticsractitioners (n�8,115), from Compensation &

$22.00

$23.80

$25.48

$27.24

002

005

007

009

+8.2%

+7.1%

+6.9%

igure 7. Registered dietitian median wage002 (n�8,621), 2005 (n�8,017), 2007n�7,768), and 2009 (n�6,587) from Com-ensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics

at sploDie

cs experience is strongly associated


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ith compensation; those with 20 orore years of experience earn a me-

ian wage more than $8 per hourbove those in the under-5-yearracket.The median wage increase for the

owest bracket and middle bracketince 2007 are about the same, at1.74 and $1.76, respectively. Thosen the highest bracket received aigher increase in hourly wage, at2.19 (Figure 10).

All RDsDoctoral degreeMaster’s degreeBachelor’s degree

igure 8. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly wagorizontal line marks the median (50th percen

All RDsADA memberNot a member

igure 9. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly wagercentiles; horizontal line marks the median

Supervisory responsibility is strongly


ssociated with wage gains; those re-orting direct and/or indirect supervi-ion of 100 or more employees have aedian wage nearly 50% greater

han the typical RD. Those supervis-ng 10 to 49 employees earn about0% more than the typical RD (Fig-re 11).Recalling that more than half ofDs have no supervisory authority,

his represents a potential area of op-ortunity for increased wages.

All RDs bachelor's master's doctoral

highest degree

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

No. 25th

6,587 $22.89227 $32.24

3,020 $24.043,319 $21.80

y education level (highest degree earned). Bar). From Compensation & Benefits Survey of th

All RDs ADA member not a member

ADA membership

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

No. 25th

6,587 $22.894,844 $23.001,743 $22.69

y American Dietetic Association (ADA) membh percentile). From Compensation & Benefits

Budget responsibility also corre- A

ates strongly with wages, with gainsncreasing as budget size increases:hose responsible for budgets of $1illion or more earn a median wage

early 50% greater than those witho budget responsibility. One fourthf those managing the biggest bud-ets earn an annualized wage of over98,000 ($47.12 per hour) (Figure 12).While 43% of all practicing RDs

ave some supervisory responsibility,nly a quarter (25%) manage budgets.

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$40.03 $51.41$28.63 $34.62$25.96 $30.77

e delimited by the 25th and 75th percentiles;ietetics Profession 2009.

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$27.67 $33.65$26.44 $32.00

ip. Bars are delimited by the 25th and 75thvey of the Dietetics Profession 2009.

$2

$2

$3

$3

$4

$4

$5

e b s ar

$1

$2

$2

$3

$3

$4

$4

e b ersh

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esents another possible growth op-ortunity for RDs.

here You Work Makes a Differenceages tend to be highest in the prac-

ice areas of food and nutrition man-gement, consultation and business,ducation, and research. (The 2009

All RDs20� years10-19 years5-9 years�5 years

igure 10. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly waine marks the median (50th percentile). From

All RDs100�50-9910-491-90

igure 11. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly wercentiles; horizontal line marks the median

urvey measured the latter two cate- e

ories as separate areas, instead ofombined as had been the case on pre-ious surveys.) Wages tend to be low-st in the areas of clinical nutrition-npatient and community nutritionFigure 13).

Regarding wages by employmentector, those who are self-employed

A.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

ll RDs

years in field< 5 5 - 9 10 - 19 20+

No. 25th

6,587 $22.892,896 $25.641,677 $23.731,055 $21.63

901 $19.23

y experience (years in the field). Bars are delimmpensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics

All5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

RDs

number supervised0 1 - 9 10 - 49 50 - 99 100+

No. 25th

6,587 $22.89160 $31.67193 $28.87964 $25.00

1,582 $24.003,667 $21.63

by number directly and/or indirectly supervh percentile). From Compensation & Benefits

arn the highest median wages m


$31.25) followed by those employedn government ($29.10). Those work-ng at for-profit or nonprofit institu-ions earn about the same medianage, between $26 and $27 (Figure4). These patterns are similar tohat has been noted in past years.Specific work settings for which

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$30.11 $37.38$27.50 $32.89$24.76 $28.85$21.63 $24.69

d by the 25th and 75th percentiles; horizontalfession 2009.

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$40.46 $48.08$35.43 $44.77$30.11 $36.06$28.37 $34.38$25.55 $30.29

d. Bars are delimited by the 25th and 75thvey of the Dietetics Profession 2009.

$15

$20

$25

$30

$35

$40

$45

ge b ite

$1

$2

$2

$3

$3

$4

$4

$5

age ise

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lude: pharmaceutical or nutritionroducts manufacturer, distributor,r retailer ($38.46); food or equipmentanufacturer, distributor, or retailer

All RDs$1,000K�$500K-$999K$100K-$499K�$100KDoes not apply

igure 12. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly waghe median (50th percentile). From Compensa

All RDsInpatientAmbulatory careLong-term careCommunityFood and nutrition managementConsultation and businessEducationResearch

igure 13. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly waedian (50th percentile). From Compensation

$32.50); contract food management


ompany ($32.21); school foodserviceK-12) ($31.38); and college, univer-ity, or teaching-hospital faculty$31.52).

All5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

RDs does not apply

<$100K $100K-$499K

$500K-$999K

$1,000K+

budget responsibility

No. 25th

6,587 $22.89525 $31.25213 $26.37497 $25.48458 $22.00

4,848 $22.12

y budget responsibility. Bars are delimited by th& Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession

All RD15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

s inpatient outpatient LTC community mgmt business education resear

practice area

No. 25th

6,587 $22.891,608 $21.561,568 $23.23

653 $23.57868 $20.92818 $27.79375 $24.64451 $25.24183 $24.04

by practice area. Bars are delimited by the 25enefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession 200

RD compensation varies to some s

egree according to region. In termsf the nine standard Census Divi-ions, RDs on the coasts (in New En-land, Middle Atlantic, and Pacific

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$38.46 $47.12$31.90 $38.72$30.29 $36.97$27.87 $34.62$25.96 $30.91

5th and 75th percentiles; horizontal line marks09.

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$24.88 $28.84$27.00 $31.25$28.02 $33.65$25.00 $30.21$32.69 $40.87$33.65 $42.37$31.25 $41.35$31.25 $40.00

nd 75th percentiles; horizontal line marks the

$1

$2

$2

$3

$3

$4

$4

$5

e b e 2

$

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$

$

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ages, ranging from about $28 to $32.hose in the Mountain states comeext at $27.80 per hour. Lowest me-ian wages (less than $26 per hour)re experienced in the South Central

All RDsSelf-employedFor-profitNonprofit (other than government)Government

igure 14. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly waghe median (50th percentile). From Compensa

All RDsNew EnglandMiddle AtlanticEast North CentralWest North CentralSouth AtlanticEast South CentralWest South CentralMountainPacific

igure 15. Registered dietitian (RD) hourly worizontal line marks the median (50th percen

nd North Central states (Figure 15). y

TR COMPENSATION

ighty-four percent of DTRs are em-loyed full-time (35 hours or moreer week for 48 weeks or more per

A15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

ll RDs self-employed for-profit non-profit governmen

employment sector

No. 25th

6,587 $22.89483 $19.23

2,019 $22.952,666 $22.661,350 $23.56

y employment sector. Bars are delimited by th& Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession

AllRDs

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

5.00

NewEngland

MidAtlantic

ENCentral

WNCentral

SouthAtlantic

ESCentral

WSCentral

Mountain Paci

location

No. 25th

6,587 $22.89451 $24.52841 $23.71

1,195 $21.63604 $21.61

1,146 $22.62350 $21.63677 $21.63390 $23.08891 $27.00

by location (selected Census Divisions). Bars). From Compensation & Benefits Survey of th

ear), up from 75% in 2002 and 11 t


oints higher than observed amongDs.

edian DTR Wages Up 8.3% Since 2007mong all DTRs in all positions,

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$31.25 $41.54$26.71 $32.00$26.44 $31.54$29.10 $35.26

th and 75th percentiles; horizontal line marks09.

Percentiles

50th 75th

$27.24 $33.44$29.91 $36.06$28.21 $34.36$25.45 $30.05$25.48 $30.04$26.92 $32.69$25.48 $31.15$25.64 $30.88$27.80 $32.09$32.21 $37.98

delimited by the 25th and 75th percentiles;ietetics Profession 2009.

$

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$

$

$

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$1

$2

$2

$3

$3

$4

$4

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age are

he median hourly wage as of April


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, 2009, was $18.75 per hour; ifnnualized, this equates to a sal-ry of $39,000 per year (up from36,000 in 2007). Median totalash compensation for DTRs em-loyed in the position full time fort least 1 year is $40,000, up from36,400.As with RDs, these current survey

stimates are higher than those pub-ished by the Bureau of Labor Statis-ics (May 2008 median wage�$12.54)6). The factors previously discussedelp to explain the discrepancy here,s well.DTR median pay increased signifi-

antly more than the 2-year inflationate (CPI) of 3.2%, growing by 8.3%ince 2007 (Figure 16).As in prior years, the wide range ofTR compensation continues to be of

nterest: DTRs in the top 10% earnearly twice as much per hour ashose in the bottom 10% (Table 6).ajor factors associated with DTR

ompensation levels are the same asor RDs: education, experience, re-ponsibility, and location. The prac-ice areas of food and nutrition man-gement and education/research holdhe greatest promise for DTRs, withedian wages of $21.42 and $22.31,

espectively.DTRs do least well, on average, in

he West South Central ($17.58) andountain ($17.00) states; medianages are highest in the Pacific

$20.27) and South Atlantic ($20.00)tates.

DA Memberships has been the case since the firsturvey in 2002, results show a small

$14.74

$16.35

$17.31

$18.75

002

005

007

009

+10.9%

+5.9%

+8.3%

igure 16. Dietetic technician, registeredDTR) median wage 2002 (n�1,397), 2005n�1,115), 2007 (n�1,057), and 2009n�780), from Compensation & Benefits Sur-ey of the Dietetics Profession 2009.

ositive association between ADA r


embership and DTR compensation;ypical members earn $0.96 per hourore than nonmembers, an annualized

ncrease of approximately $2,000.

EADERS AND LAGGARDSgreat strength of these compensa-

ion surveys is that they present wageata not only for RDs and DTRs as ahole, but also in terms of the specific

obs (including nontraditional jobs)ietetics practitioners hold. The high-st-paying nonacademic positionseld by substantial numbers of RDsre shown below (Table 7).The highest-paying positions held

y substantial numbers of DTRs areound in foodservice (Table 8).

Since 2007, most positions’ medianages have increased by substan-

ially more than the 2-year inflation

Table 6. Dietetic technician, registered, com(n�780) and total cash compensation for f(n�653), from Compensation & Benefits Sur

10th percentile (10% earn less)25th percentile (25% earn less)50th percentile (50% earn less)75th percentile (75% earn less)90th percentile (90% earn less)

Table 7. Highest-paying positions held by reefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession 2009

Executive-level professionalPublic relations and/or marketing professionaResearch & development nutritionistSales representativeDirector of nutritionDirector of clinical nutritionDirector of food and nutrition servicesSchool foodservice directorManager of nutrition communicationsClinical nutrition managerAssistant foodservice director

Table 8. Highest-paying positions held by dtion & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profe

Director of food and nutrition servicesDietetic technician, foodservice management

ate (CPI) of 3.2%, including execu- t

ive-level professionals, clinical dieti-ians (specialists in diabetes), outpa-ient dietitians (specialists in diabetes),ietetic technicians/long-term care, as-istant foodservice directors, researchietitians, public health nutritionists,IC nutritionists, clinical dietitians

specialists in renal), and directors ofood and nutrition services.

Positions not keeping pace with in-ation (CPI) since 2007 include pri-ate practice dietitian—patient/clientutrition care and instructor/lecturerFigure 17).

ENEFITSlthough many are employed part-

ime, dietetics practitioners as aroup are offered considerable fringeenefits through their work. Eighty-

sation at selected percentiles: hourly wagetime employees in position at least 1 yearof the Dietetics Profession 2009

Hourly wage Total cash

$14.00 $29,000$16.29 $34,400$18.75 $40,000$22.00 $47,400$25.95 $56,700

tered dietitians, from Compensation & Ben-

No. Median wage

116 $42.6419 $41.3518 $38.4677 $36.0657 $36.0693 $34.95

270 $34.6264 $32.6925 $31.50

195 $30.4585 $30.02

tic technicians, registered, from Compensa-n 2009

No. Median wage

44 $24.5268 $19.23

penull-vey

gis

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wo percent receive paid vacation or

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ersonal time off, 73% paid holidays,nd 71% paid sick days (Table 9).Eighty-three percent have access to

ome sort of medical coverage. Seventy-ight percent of dietetics practitionersave access to dental coverage and 67%ision coverage. Seventy-one percent ofietetics practitioners are offered a pre-cription drug benefit.

Seventy-three percent can receiveife insurance and 64% some form ofisability insurance. Sixty-six per-ent reported access to defined contri-ution retirement programs (such as01[k] plans) and 38% are offered aefined benefit (pension) retirementrograms.Fifty percent are offered funding

or professional development (confer-nces, seminars, etc), while 26% canave their professional society duesaid. Thirty-six percent are eligible toeceive assistance with college tu-tion. Fifty-one percent have access ton employee assistance or wellnessrogram. Thirty-nine percent haveccess to a fitness benefit such as aiscounted health club membershipr an on-site facility. Thirty-two per-ent work with comp time or flexime.

Twenty-five percent are eligible forxtended and/or paid parental leave,nd 11% have on-site child care or ahild care allowance.

Benefit levels are most influenced bymployment status—self-employed vsot; full-time vs part-time. Those work-

ng in acute care (inpatient or outpa-ient), K-12 foodservice, or governmentgencies tend to enjoy a richer array ofenefits than those employed in other

15.7%

12.1%

12.0%

11.4%

10.7%

10.2%

9.7%

9.1%

8.8%

8.4%

2.6%

2.3%

3.2%

Executive-level ProfessionalClinical Dietitian/Diabetes

Outpatient Dietitian/DiabetesDietetic Technician, LTC

Assistant Foodservice DirectorResearch Dietitian

Public Health NutritionWIC Nutritionist

Clinical Dietitian/Renalirector Food/Nutrition Services

INFLATIONPrivate Practice

Instructor/Lecturer

igure 17. Percent change in median hourlyage 2007-2009 for selected dietetics posi-

ions, from Compensation & Benefits Survey ofhe Dietetics Profession 2009.

reas, particularly private practice. h

ONCLUSION

n underwriting the Compensation &enefits Survey of the Dietetics Profes-ion 2009, ADA has provided a com-rehensive and current resource toelp dietetics practitioners betteranage their responsibilities and

heir careers. This survey providesaluable perspectives on how specificietetics jobs are compensated, showsow a variety of factors relate to com-ensation levels, and identifies im-ortant trends.ADA plans to periodically update

he survey and actively seek sugges-ions for its improvement. With the

Table 9. Incidence of benefits offered toemployment/self-employment, from Compenssion 2009 a

NET: paid time offPaid vacation, personal time offPaid holidaysPaid sick days

NET: medicalMedical insurance, group plan, or savingsDental insurance or group planPrescription drug benefitVision insurance or group plan

NET: insuranceLife insuranceDisability insurance (long- and/or short-ter

NET: retirement, investmentsDefined contribution retirement plan (eg, 4Defined benefit retirement plan (pension)Stock options, ESOPc

Profit sharingNET: professional/career development

Funding for professional development (conProfessional society duesSign-on bonusesPaid dietetics internship

NET: quality of work lifeEmployee assistance or wellness programFitness benefit (eg, discounted health clubCollege tuition assistanceComp time or flex timeExtended and/or paid parental leaveOn-site child care or allowanceTelecommuting

OtherIndicated one or moreNo benefitsNo answer

aNET signifies percentage indicating one or more items ibSEP�simplified employee pension plan.cESOP�employee stock ownership plan.

elp and participation of dietetics v


ractitioners, future surveys will con-inue to serve as an invaluable asseto the profession.

DITOR’S NOTEhe Compensation & Benefits Surveyf the Dietetics Profession 2009 con-inues to provide the most comprehen-ive and authoritative source of infor-ation on compensation in the

rofession. It should prove to be ansset to practitioners and their em-loyees in all major dietetics practiceettings, as well as provide referenceaterial for self-employed dietetics

ractitioners.A detailed electronic report of sur-

tetics practitioners (n�8,115) as part ofn & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profes-

85%82%73%71%84%

ount 83%78%71%67%77%73%64%77%

k], SEPb) 66%38%7%7%

56%nces, seminars, etc) 50%

26%5%2%

74%51%

mbership, on-site facilities) 39%36%32%25%11%9%2%

90%9%1%

egory.

dieatio

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01[

fere

me

n cat

ey results is available through the


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2

3

4

5

6


3
DA Web site. This comprehensive re-ort details the compensation for doz-ns of core registered dietitian andietetic technician, registered jobs, bro-en down by job title, region, education,xperience, supervisory responsibility,nd much more. Of particular interesto practitioners will be the interactivealary calculator, which offers the usern estimation of what practitionersith similar characteristics and in sim-

lar situations earn, on average. Down-oad/print this resource ($19.95 mem-ers; $150 nonmembers) at www.atright.org/salarysurvey.

eferences. Rogers D, Salary Survey Working Group. Re-

port on the ADA 2002 Dietetics Compensa-tion and Benefits Survey. J Am Diet Assoc.2003;103:243-255.

. Rogers D. Dietetics salaries on the rise. J AmDiet Assoc. 2006;106:296-305.

. Rogers D. Compensation & Benefits Survey2007: Above-average pay gains seen for reg-istered dietitians. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108:416-427.

. US Department of Labor, Bureau of LaborStatistics. Occupational Employment andWages, May 2008: 29-1031 Dietitians andNutritionists. http://www.bls.gov/oes/may/oes291031.htm. Accessed August 5, 2009.

. US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics. Consumer Price Index—All Urban Con-sumers. http://www.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost.Accessed August 5, 2009.

. US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics. Occupational Employment and Wages,May 2008: 29-2051 Dietetic Technicians. http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes292051.htm. Ac-cessed August 5, 2009.

http://www.eatright.org/salarysurvey

http://www.eatright.org/salarysurvey

http://www.bls.gov/oes/may/oes291031.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oes/may/oes291031.htm

http://www.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost

http://www.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost

http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes292051.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes292051.htm

Compensation & Benefits Survey 2009: Despite Overall Downturn in Economy, RD and DTR Salaries Rise

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