Dietitian
Also called dietician, specialist dietician, public health nutritionist
Dietitians assess specific nutritional requirements of populations or individuals throughout their lives and translate this into advice which will maintain, reduce risk to, or restore people’s health. Using evidence-based approaches, dietitians work to empower individuals, families and groups to provide or select food which is nutritionally adequate, safe, tasty and sustainable. Beyond healthcare, dietitians improve the nutritional environment for all through governments, industry, academia and research.
What you'd do
Dieticians and nutritionists · ILO- Instructing individuals, families and communities on nutrition, the planning of diets and preparation of food to maximize health benefits and reduce potential risks to health
- Planning diets and menus, supervising the preparation and serving of meals, and monitoring food intake and quality to provide nutritional care in settings offering food services
- Compiling and assessing data relating to health and nutritional status of individuals, groups and communities based on nutritional values of food served or consumed
- Planning and conducting nutrition assessments, intervention programmes, and education and training to improve nutritional levels among individuals and communities
- Consulting with other health professionals and care providers to manage the dietary and nutritional needs of patients
- Developing and evaluating food and nutrition products to meet nutritional requirements
- Conducting research on nutrition and disseminating the findings at scientific conferences and in other settings
- Indoors
- A mix of sitting and standing
- Constant contact with people, including the public
- Good freedom to decide
- Usually 40 hours a week
- Deadlines most weeks
- Some repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Yes, good prospectsMany jobs will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
Well above averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Usually a degreeA degree in medicine is the usual route.
946 institutions in the EU offer health and welfare bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
LittleAI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.
Average task score 0.41 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for dieticians and nutritionists. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).