Salary of a Nutritional Scientist

Nutritional scientists, or nutritionists, prevent and treat illness and disease through the use of diet modification. For example, a nutrition scientist may develop a diet plan for a diabetic. A nutrition scientist's salary depends on factors such as his location and the industry in which he works.

Salary

As of 2009, the average annual salary for a nutrition scientist was $53,230. Nutrition scientists in the 10th percentile earned $33,230 per year; those in the 25th percentile earned $42,400 per year; those in the 50th percentile earned $52,150 per year; those in the 75th percentile earned $63,460 per year; and those in the 90th percentile earned $74,690 per year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Top-Paying States

In 2009, the top five highest-paying states for a nutrition scientist were Maryland, Nevada, California, Hawaii and Connecticut. If a nutrition scientist worked in Maryland, she earned an average salary of $64,600 per year; and if she worked in Nevada, she earned $63,860. Those nutrition scientists who worked in California earned an average salary of $63,610 per year; those who worked in Hawaii earned $62,750 per year; and those who worked in Connecticut earned $61,750, the BLS reports.

Top-Paying Industries

In 2009, management, scientific and technical consulting services was the highest-paying industry for this occupation, offering an average annual salary of $75,100. The second-highest-paying industry was the federal government with an average salary of $68,390 per year. Home health care service offered $62,050, health and personal care stores $60,890, and medical and diagnostic laboratories $60,150 per year, the BLS reports.

Employment Outlook

In 2008, 60,300 nutrition scientists and dietitians were working in the United States. The BLS expects this number to increase to 65,800 by 2018, a 9 percent increase, which is "about as fast as the average," according to the BLS. The BLS also expects those with training, education and certification beyond the state's minimum to have the best chances at obtaining employment.