by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 19 U.S. colleges awarded 160 degrees and certificates in Dietetic Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Dietetic Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,211 one year after completing, rising to $57,022 after four years.
A degree in Dietetic Technician explores Dietetic Technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Registered Dietitians And Nutritionists, To Implement Nutritional And Dietetic Plans And Provide Direct Client And Patient Services. Includes Instruction In Human Nutrition, Client Interviewing And Record Keeping, Dietary Planning, Food Preparation And Safety, Food Worker Supervision, Food Service Establishment Monitoring And Inspection, And Applicable Procedures And Regulations. Examples: [Dietetic Technician (Dtr)], [Registered Dietetic Technician (Dtr)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, dietetic technician is a widely-pursued major, with 160 degrees awarded annually. 19 colleges award dietetic technician degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 31.
By level, the 160 awards include 7 certificates, 64 associate degrees, 23 bachelor’s degrees and 54 master’s degrees.
Women earned 81% of dietetic technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (130 of 160). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (73) and Hispanic or Latino (34), and international students earned 14.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Dietetic Technician Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks dietetic technician schools within 1 state. In all, 19 colleges offer dietetic technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dietetic Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dietetic technician credential is the associate degree: 64 of the 160 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dietetic technician call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Learning Strategies, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a dietetic technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 64 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 23 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 54 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dietetic technician, at 34.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 34.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 26.9% |
| Some college courses | 14.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Dietetic Technician, with an average median salary of $137,981; the strongest outlook belongs to Dietetic Technicians, at 5.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Dietetic Technician, Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician), School Nutrition Manager and Menu Planner.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to dietetic technician, at 587,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
Dietetic Technician graduates earn a median $43,211 one year after completing their program, $57,022 after four years and $54,790 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,211 |
| 4 years | $57,022 |
| 5 years | $54,790 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to dietetic technician, with a median salary of $137,981.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
Dietetic Technician has 4 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 4,765 degrees a year; the largest are Dietetics/Dietitian (3,001), Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist (905) and Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other (453). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 3,001 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 905 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other | 453 |
| Dietitian Assistant | 406 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
