A career in nutrition science can take you to many places, such as schools, corporations, hospitals, gyms, restaurants, government agencies, vacation resorts, factories, weight loss centers, and non-profits.
And if working for someone else isn’t your thing, you’ll be interested in learning that food and nutrition entrepreneurship is also a booming field.
As science focuses more on preventive medicine, promoting wellness through diet and nutrition will be a top priority.
This ensures excellent growth and potential job security.
In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for nutrition science majors will grow 11% over the next decade.
Today, it’s easier than ever to turn your passion for food and nutrition into a well-paying and fulfilling job like these top 9 careers.
1. Caterer
Why Become a Caterer?
Caterers provide food preparation services for events, corporate functions, private parties, restaurants, and foodservice companies.
Some states require education in food safety to become licensed as a caterer.
Some of the best aspects of catering as a career are the creative freedom, flexibility, and ability to help customers and clients plan and execute their dream events.
Catering is a great option for entrepreneurs with an affinity for event planning, food preparation, and business management.
You’ll need to understand accounting and cost estimation methods in order to appraise how much time, labor, resources, and equipment you’ll need for a project.
There are many jobs that involve catering, and not all of them require a bachelor’s degree.
Associate degrees, culinary school degree programs, as well as certifications are available to help you get started in your catering career.
However, a BS in Nutrition Science offers future caterers a well-rounded education in marketing, planning, and running restaurants and other types of food services.
| Caterer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $31,520 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $15.15 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
2. Chef
Why Become a Chef?
There are different types of chefs and not all of them require a college degree.
However, for a nutrition science major to become a chef, they must also incorporate culinary training into their curriculum.
Professional chefs say that the best part of their job is being the master of their domain.
The best chefs are also creative, intuitive, and tough.
To be a great chef, you must have the stamina to work long hours, the ability to keep a tight schedule, and manage high-pressure environments with lots of moving parts.
Delegation is one of the most important soft skills a nutrition science major needs to transition into a full-time culinary career.
The best majors for nutrition science students interested in a career as a chef include:
- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Nutrition
- Food and Beverage Management
- Food Service Management
| Chef Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $56,920 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $27.37 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
3. Wellness Coordinator
Why Become a Wellness Coordinator?
A professional wellness coordinator plans and facilitates health and nutrition activities and programs for employees.
One of the best things about being a wellness coordinator is being able to identify a problem with a client’s nutrition or lifestyle and being able to help them form a plan to correct it.
As a wellness coordinator, you’ll enjoy providing nutrition, health, and wellness education.
Some of your duties may include holding classes, public speaking at seminars, designing personal training programs, and fitness assessments.
Besides nutrition science, other majors a wellness coordinator may consider are:
- Kinesiology and Nutrition
- Nutrition Education
- Nutrition and Health Education
| Wellness Coordinator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,560 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.92 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 13% |
4. Nutritionist
Why Become a Nutritionist?
The key role of a nutritional scientist or nutritionist is to provide education about the types and quantities of foods people should eat.
As a nutritionist, you may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, long-term care clinics, private or corporate consulting, and state and local governments.
One of the best parts about being a nutritionist is helping people cut through the misinformation and get back to the basics of healthy eating.
It’s exciting to see how educating people about their nutrition can improve their lives and often the lives of their loved ones.
If you love the idea of improving health and wellness through applied dietary science while working one-on-one or with groups of patients, becoming a nutritionist may be your dream.
Nutritionists draw from multiple fields, such as biology, medicine, chemistry, and social sciences.
To enter the occupation, nutritionists often need a bachelor’s degree, which may require a certain number of hours of clinical internship.
Degree majors for future nutritionists include:
- Biomedical Science: Nutrition
- Public Health: Nutrition
- Nutrition in Industry
| Nutritionist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $65,620 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $31.55 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
5. Dietician
Why Become a Dietician?
As a career, “dietician,” usually refers to a board-certified food and nutrition expert who organizes food and nutrition plans and promotes healthy eating habits to prevent and treat illness.
Some say that the best thing about being a dietician is helping others live healthier lives and learn to heal their bodies with food.
You’ll need to have an interest in the biology, physiology, and chemistry of plant and animal organisms.
Along the way, you’ll learn about formulating individual nutritional care plans, monitoring and documenting progress, interdisciplinary communication, understanding food safety, menu planning, and cost accounting.
Some of the most popular nutrition science majors for dieticians include:
- Dietetics
- Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
- Nutrition in Public Health
| Dietician Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $65,620 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $31.55 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
6. Yoga Instructor
Why Become a Yoga Instructor?
A yoga instructor conducts classes with individuals or groups of people, which involve meditation, stretching, and poses.
If you are already skilled in the practice of yoga, getting a degree in nutrition science may help you reach your career goals faster.
Besides getting to wear comfy clothes all day long, the best part about being a yoga teacher is helping your clients trust the process, reach their goals, improve strength, and grow spiritually.
If you’re interested in becoming a yoga instructor, you may receive training through a school or under the guidance of a practicing yogi or mentor.
In order to include integrative nutrition to deepen your practice, you may also need a degree in nutrition.
Other degree majors may include:
- Community Nutrition and Health
- Kinesiology and Nutrition
- Nutrition and Integrative Health
| Yoga Instructor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $45,870 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $22.05 |
| Education | 6-12 Months |
| Outlook | 13% |
7. Herbal Therapist
Why Become an Herbal Therapist?
Herbal therapists emphasize the role of medicinal plants and herbs in preventing disease and restoring health through processes like integrative nutrition.
Some herbalists say the best part of their job is helping people discover the concept of food as medicine.
If you are interested in combining nutrition science with alternative health and you enjoy studying plants (botany), cultivating herbs, and preparing herbal remedies, consider becoming an herbal therapist.
While a degree in nutrition isn’t required, it may help you learn to approach health from a holistic or integrative mindset that includes optimal nutrition.
A degree major like these can also help prepare you to run a business:
- Herbal Medicine and Nutrition
- Botanical Nutrition
- Health and Wellness
- Holistic Nutrition
| Herbal Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $45,870 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $22.05 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 7% |
8. Life Coach
Why Become a Life Coach?
As a nutrition-focused life coach, you’ll teach dietary basics while using cutting-edge science and technology to create custom coaching plans for your clients.
Some nutrition life coaches say that the best part of their career is that they reach clients at all stages of life, helping them set goals and reach them no matter where they are starting from.
Becoming a life coach doesn’t require a nutrition science degree.
However, a bachelor’s degree program in nutrition like these, help you earn credibility and prepare you to run a successful life coaching business:
- Integrative Nutrition
- Mental Health Nutrition
- Social Work and Nutrition
| Life Coach Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $50,550 |
| Education | 0-1 Year |
| Outlook | 33% |
9. Athletic Trainer
Why Become an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic Trainers (AT) are healthcare professionals that work with athletes to improve their performance, rehabilitate, and prevent injuries.
ATs say that the best thing about being an athletic trainer is the diverse work environment and ability to provide expertise in exercise science, sports, and nutritional sciences.
Athletic training includes learning about human anatomy, physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition.
Common degree programs that combine nutrition and athletic training include:
- Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences
- Kinesiology and Nutrition
- Physical Therapy
| Athletic Trainer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $54,650 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 22.7% |
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