Dietitians and Nutritionists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Dietitians and Nutritionistss by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dietitians and Nutritionistss land at $76,400 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: dietitians and nutritionist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Dietitians and Nutritionistss is California ($98,850); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dietitians and Nutritionists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Dietitians and Nutritionistss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $76,400 for Dietitians and Nutritionistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Dietitians and Nutritionists or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Dietitians and Nutritionists or Registered Nurses?
Dietitians and Nutritionists typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Dietitians and Nutritionistss get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Dietitians and Nutritionistss at $98,850/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Dietitians and Nutritionists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Dietitians and Nutritionistss earn $98,850 vs. $140,270 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.