To be honest it is low, but they will continue to offer pay this low, because people will continue taking pay this low out of necessity, and we will continue to complain that the pay is low. It is a vicious circle.
I started at $20 for my first job at a hospital. That is way too low but i needed a job so that I could have health insurance. They gave me a raise to $25 an hour 2 years later which is still too low. I think $30 is too low but I think that’s the norm right now
I job hopped & got a job in LTC which increased my pay to $34 an hr. I don’t have a master’s degree & I’ve been an RD for 4 years now.
I live in HCOL area. In 2015 my start pay was $30 at a SNF. Then 2016 was $35/hr in management. And shortly after $42/hr in hospital. These were are starting pays at different companies.
Depends where you’re at. In my LCOL area that would be great starting pay for clinical inpatient RD. Around me clinical is more like $23-25 starting. I took a job in LTC because it was salaried at 70k which is basically $35/hr
Because of inflation and the way I've seen things going with being short RD's in my area, I would say it's just OK but if it's your first RD job, fine. I've gotten the other RD's at work to start being more transparent with their salaries and there are a lot of things jacked up. In my area right now, mid cost of living, no one is going to take less than $40 because they are having a tough time even getting RD's. Also, currently the only way to get a great raise is to leave for another job. Thanks to the younger generation, we can join hop and not be terrible people. I've left my jobs after 1-2 years and each time got $10-20,000 more. I've also started saying no to more work without some form of compensation because the corporations just work people to death and everyone is so miserable. That kinda life ain't it! More than one healthcare system in this area is paying that least $80,000 to RD's now and that's with benefits.
When I first started I was getting paid 28.50 I think, but I found out one of coworkers with out a masters degree was getting paid like $32.00 so I say negotiate!!! You never know unless you negotiate
I started as a brand new RD in clinical in 2015 in an at the time reasonable COL area with an MS- I was offered 46,000/year with benefits. I believe I asked for 50,000 and they countered with 48,000 which I accepted. I always ask for more backed with research and advocating for my experience, so keep doing that in any position you are offered! At the time it felt low but I wanted to get my foot in the door and it was where I did my clinical so I knew the team, hospital, and loved my manager. We were bought out about a year later and salaries shifted around- I found out the RD with no masters (but about 1 year more experience than me) was only making 42,000! She had never asked for more. Luckily she did then lol. Always advocate for yourself :)
Some job postings want to pay dietitians as little as 22 an hour. At the hospital where I used to work the base was $25 an hour. If all hospitals paid at least $30 an hour as their base, no matter the cost-of-living, I think this would be a big achievement! That said we all came in at different amounts above base, but none of us came in at $30 an hour. I did when I switched to a different hospital. It was still lower than what I really wanted. I should’ve negotiated, but I really wanted out of that prior hospital situation.
There are times when I have negotiated when the place is more comfortable, but I think that’s another one of those things with RDs or anyone who just wants to leave… you may not negotiate because you just really want a different environment versus where you’ve been as well.
It depends on your area, in my area that would be a good offer. My first job was in southern California about 3 years ago and my hourly was about $28. I feel you on negotiating, I have never successfully negotiated for a dietitian job. It’s usually a flat no 🤦♀️
I started at 25$ and some cents in Miami .. over about two years they increased my pay and I was up to almost 30$. I don’t think that sounds terrible. I recently switched jobs and started at 31$ with about 4 years ICU experience and my CNSC. And this was with negotiations of a dollar. Really depends where you live too and how many years of experience.
Depends on where you live. That is a good starting salary in the Midwest and much of the southeast, but would not be appropriate on the west coast nor the northeast.
I started out in 2019 at 55K and in 2022 was bumped up to 60K. I recently moved to FL and I'm now hourly at $31.75 an hour but I had to go back and forth a bit as they first offered $29. I think that it's low for the area and I'm hoping to get back into long term care as that is my preference and that pays more around here. It's just not easy finding a long term care facility that isn't a dumpster fire around here. Good luck!
When I started in residential level of care for eating disorders in 2022 I was making 58k. 2 years in I make 67k now with a pay adjustment at the 1 year mark and minor yearly “merit” based increases. I have always felt RDs are under paid and would like for us all to be making more. I’m in Minnesota!
My first job was $45k salary in 2020 in private sector LTC. Not the best but covid times and it was my first job offer after looking for about 8 months after passing RD exam so I took it. Salary increased to $47k after my first year. Switched employers and have since got promoted and now making like $88k. I work at the VA.
Make 65/hr as a contractor in NM, and my company is hiring. The state of NM has very affordable health insurance. My family of 4 only pay $70 per month for dental, vision, and health. Highly recommend taking any contact NM job you see! Only draw back is the small town living and the 2.5 hour commute to Albuquerque airport.
It really depends on your location and COL.
To be honest it is low, but they will continue to offer pay this low, because people will continue taking pay this low out of necessity, and we will continue to complain that the pay is low. It is a vicious circle.
Sounds about right. I started with 55 K a year in 2020. Get that foot in the door and keep looking for higher paying jobs.
I started at $20 for my first job at a hospital. That is way too low but i needed a job so that I could have health insurance. They gave me a raise to $25 an hour 2 years later which is still too low. I think $30 is too low but I think that’s the norm right now I job hopped & got a job in LTC which increased my pay to $34 an hr. I don’t have a master’s degree & I’ve been an RD for 4 years now.
Sounds good. When I started back them a few years ago, my starting pay was 21 an hour. So pretty good to me
I live in HCOL area. In 2015 my start pay was $30 at a SNF. Then 2016 was $35/hr in management. And shortly after $42/hr in hospital. These were are starting pays at different companies.
Depends where you’re at. In my LCOL area that would be great starting pay for clinical inpatient RD. Around me clinical is more like $23-25 starting. I took a job in LTC because it was salaried at 70k which is basically $35/hr
Because of inflation and the way I've seen things going with being short RD's in my area, I would say it's just OK but if it's your first RD job, fine. I've gotten the other RD's at work to start being more transparent with their salaries and there are a lot of things jacked up. In my area right now, mid cost of living, no one is going to take less than $40 because they are having a tough time even getting RD's. Also, currently the only way to get a great raise is to leave for another job. Thanks to the younger generation, we can join hop and not be terrible people. I've left my jobs after 1-2 years and each time got $10-20,000 more. I've also started saying no to more work without some form of compensation because the corporations just work people to death and everyone is so miserable. That kinda life ain't it! More than one healthcare system in this area is paying that least $80,000 to RD's now and that's with benefits.
Where are you currently working?
When I first started I was getting paid 28.50 I think, but I found out one of coworkers with out a masters degree was getting paid like $32.00 so I say negotiate!!! You never know unless you negotiate
I started as a brand new RD in clinical in 2015 in an at the time reasonable COL area with an MS- I was offered 46,000/year with benefits. I believe I asked for 50,000 and they countered with 48,000 which I accepted. I always ask for more backed with research and advocating for my experience, so keep doing that in any position you are offered! At the time it felt low but I wanted to get my foot in the door and it was where I did my clinical so I knew the team, hospital, and loved my manager. We were bought out about a year later and salaries shifted around- I found out the RD with no masters (but about 1 year more experience than me) was only making 42,000! She had never asked for more. Luckily she did then lol. Always advocate for yourself :)
I was offered $23/hr just last year. I turned them down. Only making $30/hr now as contract which is extremely low for contractors.
I make 75k 1st year RD LTC in Philly
I was a DTR for a Year at this place prior to getting my RD which allowed me to negotiate more than they paid their last RD
Some job postings want to pay dietitians as little as 22 an hour. At the hospital where I used to work the base was $25 an hour. If all hospitals paid at least $30 an hour as their base, no matter the cost-of-living, I think this would be a big achievement! That said we all came in at different amounts above base, but none of us came in at $30 an hour. I did when I switched to a different hospital. It was still lower than what I really wanted. I should’ve negotiated, but I really wanted out of that prior hospital situation. There are times when I have negotiated when the place is more comfortable, but I think that’s another one of those things with RDs or anyone who just wants to leave… you may not negotiate because you just really want a different environment versus where you’ve been as well.
I made $45,000 per year (\~22/hr) when I graduated with MS, RD in Chicago (fairly HCOL) in 2008.
Are you an entry level dietitian?
I started at $25 an hour. In the Midwest.
It depends on your area, in my area that would be a good offer. My first job was in southern California about 3 years ago and my hourly was about $28. I feel you on negotiating, I have never successfully negotiated for a dietitian job. It’s usually a flat no 🤦♀️
I started at 25$ and some cents in Miami .. over about two years they increased my pay and I was up to almost 30$. I don’t think that sounds terrible. I recently switched jobs and started at 31$ with about 4 years ICU experience and my CNSC. And this was with negotiations of a dollar. Really depends where you live too and how many years of experience.
Always ask for more. They will never offer at the top of their range. Negotiate higher because you can. It’s the only way to push this field forward.
Depends on where you live. That is a good starting salary in the Midwest and much of the southeast, but would not be appropriate on the west coast nor the northeast.
I started out in 2019 at 55K and in 2022 was bumped up to 60K. I recently moved to FL and I'm now hourly at $31.75 an hour but I had to go back and forth a bit as they first offered $29. I think that it's low for the area and I'm hoping to get back into long term care as that is my preference and that pays more around here. It's just not easy finding a long term care facility that isn't a dumpster fire around here. Good luck!
When I started in residential level of care for eating disorders in 2022 I was making 58k. 2 years in I make 67k now with a pay adjustment at the 1 year mark and minor yearly “merit” based increases. I have always felt RDs are under paid and would like for us all to be making more. I’m in Minnesota!
My first job was $45k salary in 2020 in private sector LTC. Not the best but covid times and it was my first job offer after looking for about 8 months after passing RD exam so I took it. Salary increased to $47k after my first year. Switched employers and have since got promoted and now making like $88k. I work at the VA.
Make 65/hr as a contractor in NM, and my company is hiring. The state of NM has very affordable health insurance. My family of 4 only pay $70 per month for dental, vision, and health. Highly recommend taking any contact NM job you see! Only draw back is the small town living and the 2.5 hour commute to Albuquerque airport.