Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Information
While your passion for helping people attain healthier lifestyles is what drives you to seek a career as a dietitian, you must also consider ways to make your career lucrative and rewarding. One of the most daunting tasks dietitians face when applying to jobs is the process of negotiating a salary.
Whether you are just out of school or seeking to move to a higher level in your career path, it’s important to be prepared to ask for the amount of money you’re worth. How can you ask for a competitive salary without offending a hiring manager? Take a look at our salary negotiation tips.
How Much Can You Expect?
The first thing you should do when negotiating your own salary is to discover what other dietitians in your area are making. National salary averages for people in the nutritional field range from $33,000 to $97,000. Where you fall on the scale depends largely on where you live and how many years of experience you have under your belt.
If the average dietitian salary in your regional area is on the low side of the scale, you may be able to negotiate extra perks like more vacation time or bonuses in place of a higher annual dollar amount. If you’re unsure about where you fall on the spectrum, you can get a general idea by submitting some basic information here.
When Do You Ask for a Specific Salary?
There are several ways to negotiate your salary. If you are located in an area where the living expenses are high, you need to determine a realistic salary that you can comfortably live on. You can submit a salary negation letter with your resume to every job opening you apply to so you don’t waste time interviewing with companies that simply can’t meet your requirements. Another option is to wait for a hiring manger to offer you a salary before putting some numbers of your own down on paper.
The Advantages of Using a Letter
Written requests carry far more weight than verbal ones. Submitting a salary requirement letter is the best way to make your intentions and expectations clear to a hiring manger. In addition, a letter conveys that you are firm in your demands. While many applicants choose to submit salary letters with their initial applications, you can also present a hiring manager with a letter after they’ve formally offered you a position.
Be sure to make a compelling argument that justifies the nutritionist salary you’re asking for when you craft your letter. Your argument can include details about your unique experience or special qualifications. You can also add a few lines about how you contributed to successful projects or innovative measures at your previous place of employment. Going in strong is a great way to show your potential new employer that you are a professional and thorough candidate with the business savvy it takes to help make their organization competitive and successful.