Dietitian
Use nutrition science to treat medical conditions - in hospitals, clinics or private practice.
This UK dietitian career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,407 (NHS Band 5)
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £48,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £75,000
- Work environment
- Hospital, clinic or community setting
- Time to entry
- 3 - 4 years (BSc)
- Degree required
- Often required
- Category
- Healthcare and Care
What a Dietitian does
Use nutrition science to treat medical conditions - in hospitals, clinics or private practice.
- Acute Dietetics - Hospital wards including ICU and surgery.
- Diabetes and Endocrine - Specialist diabetes clinics.
- Paediatric Dietetics - Children's dietetics in hospital and community.
- Public Health and Industry - Industry, public-health and food policy roles.
How to become a Dietitian
- Look up Dietitian roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Dietitian - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Nutrition science
- Patient comms
- Behaviour change
- Reporting
- Empathy