Dietitians and nutritionists
SOC Code: 29-1031
Dietitians and nutritionists carries a 23% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $73,850 and +5.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 90,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Dietitians and nutritionists (SOC 29-1031) carries an AI exposure score of 23%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 90,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.5% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $73,850, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Dietitians and nutritionists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- 2. Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
- 3. Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
- 4. Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- 5. Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
- 6. Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
- 7. Record and evaluate patient and family health and food history, including symptoms, environmental toxic exposure, allergies, medication factors, and preventive health-care measures.
- 8. Develop recipes and menus to address special nutrition needs, such as low glycemic, low histamine, or gluten- or allergen-free.
- 9. Coordinate diet counseling services.
- 10. Select, train, and supervise workers who plan, prepare, and serve meals.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Service Orientation
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Dietitians and nutritionists?
Dietitians and nutritionists has an AI exposure score of 23%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Dietitians and nutritionists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow by 5.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 90,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Dietitians and nutritionists?
Key skills for Dietitians and nutritionists include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Dietitians and nutritionists earn?
The median annual wage for Dietitians and nutritionists is $73,850, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Dietitians and nutritionists?
The typical entry-level education for Dietitians and nutritionists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Internship/residency. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Dietitians and nutritionists?
Dietitians and nutritionists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).