Video Transcript

Host Question: There’s a large difference between what someone with an associate’s level, a bachelor’s level or a masters level degree is going to make in their career in the world in nutrition?

Answer: I would say that based on an associate’s degree, you’re going to be a tech. So that’s going to be hourly. You will be compensated less that a bachelor’s degree where you’re going to be a dietitian. You’ll be that range master’s degree. There’s probably a little bit more opportunity for like promotions and managerial positions, which will be compensated at that rate.

Answer: There is a difference if you decide to follow a traditional route of a career in a hospital. There’s definitely a big difference in wages from a bachelor’s degree going to a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is probably around the $50,000 a year mark where the master’s degree or even doctorate in nutrition is probably around the $100,000 plus mark. There’s a difference there. But I also think that if you decide to pursue a more alternative career path and work independently or start your own business, I think that you could make upwards of six figures easily, even just holding a certification.

Answer: As far as compensation goes, you can’t become an RD without having your masters, which will give you a higher pay grade. Unfortunately, dietitians don’t get paid that well. It’s changing, which is awesome. If you’re working for a hospital or clinical or community program, especially still not getting paid super well, even as a dietitian with the Masters with no degree that you spent a lot of money on. So still not making as much, but that is changing. That being said, if the highest bracket for grads is going to be between, let’s say, maybe it’s $50k to $70k, it’s going to get even lower for each class below that unless you go out and do your own thing.

Answer: You might see a small difference and again, that’s in the hospital. The way hospitals work in terms of salaries, everything is pretty by the book. So everybody who has a certain degree is probably going to be making the same. If you were to work in more of a corporate setting, there may be more flexibility in terms of negotiation and things like that. And then when you work for yourself, really, the sky’s the limit. So there’s no cap.