What would you like to do with your online Bachelor of Nutrition degree? What are your career choices? Would you want to work directly with patients, or would you like to serve in another capacity, such as an agricultural and food scientist? As you ask yourself these questions, rest assured, your online bachelor’s degree in the field of nutrition will help you gain an entry-level job.
As of May 2017, the BLS states the average salary for a nutritionist or dietitian was $59,410 annually, with the highest 10 percent earning upwards of $83,070 per year. To be clear, dietitians and nutritionists are slightly different. As a dietitian requires board certification and nutritionists do not, a dietitian’s salary may be significantly more than the nutritionist. Of course, other factors will come into play here, such as your educational degree, title, experience, as well as, job location. Registered Dietitians (RD) can diagnose and treat eating disorders and other nutritional issues.
A nutritionist offers general advice on nutritional issues as well; however, they are not allowed to diagnose patients, as they do not require board certification. Often, general nutritionists are employed in hospital or school cafeterias, or perhaps, in nursing homes or assisted living residences. Many athletic organizations also hire nutritionists to keep athletes in tip-top condition. Now, keep in mind that if a nutritionist would like to earn a master’s degree and has the applicable experience, they can obtain certification to be a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).
If you are interested in the field of nutrition but do not wish to have direct patient interaction, you can use your skills and knowledge learned from an online Bachelor of Nutrition degree as a food scientist. As an agriculture and food scientist, your expected salary, according to the BLS in May 2017, will be an average of $62,910 annually. In this capacity, you will conduct research on ways to improve crops and livestock, in addition to, methods of ensuring public safety within our agricultural products.
Other related careers that do not necessarily require a college degree may include a food service manager, a cook or chef, or healthcare aide. If you wish to learn more about nutrition and dietetics, please see our picks for the Best Online Schools for Bachelor of Nutrition Degree Programs. Hopefully, this list will guide you in a degree program that is right for you!