Following the pandemic, the nutritionist job market has seen a boom in popularity. There’s never been a better time to break into the industry and to highlight this to you, we will cover the following topics:
Contents:
- What Is The Job Market Like For a Nutritionist?
- What Positions Can You Work In The Nutritionist Job Market?
- Are Nutritionists in High Demand Across Different Sectors of The Job Market?
- Is The Nutritionist Job Market Expected to Grow With This Demand?
- What is The Average Salary in The Nutritionist Job Market?
- How to Break Into The Nutritionist Job Market
- How to Stand Out In The Competitive Nutritionist Job Market
Completing a Level 4 Nutrition Qualification will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge required to succeed in this role. To learn more about this course you can download OriGym’s course prospectus – It’s FREE!
What Is The Job Market Like For a Nutritionist?
Our students often ask, ‘Are nutritionists in demand?’ This question specifically relates to job prospects and whether it’s worth pursuing this role.
To show the demand for nutritionists exists, check out this 2021 government survey which discovered that eating better was the second-highest priority after exercising for millions of adults aged between 40-60.
A further study by College Values Online even estimated that the nutritionist job market is expected to grow by 11% by 2030.
Both of these studies support the idea that the job market is booming, with more potential clients engaging with nutrition practices than ever before.
What Positions Can You Apply For In The Nutritionist Job Market?
Many job sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor also reflect this growing demand, advertising nutritionist positions across various sectors such as:
- Health and Fitness
- Private Companies
- Charities
Be aware that the role of the nutritionist isn’t all identical and your responsibilities can differ depending on your employer.
For example, this position at Holroyd Howe, is a premium catering firm for independent schools. In this particular role, nutritionists play a vital role in planning and delivering healthy school meals for students:
Compare this to the following position at Big C Cancer Charity in Norwich. The primary responsibilities of this role include creating meal plans that aid in improving the lives of those battling cancer:
Both of the aforementioned job descriptions are for contracted positions, but as the demand for nutritionists is so great that many choose to become self-employed and start their own business.
Being your own boss comes with plenty of perks, for example you could choose to specialise in a particular area of nutrition that interests you. You’ll also be able to target a specific demographic of clients who would most benefit from your services.
For example, you could offer personalised meal plans to help people with weight management or and muscle gain,
As a self-employed nutritionist, you can advertise your business across a variety of platforms such as:
- Your website
- Your social media platforms – Instagram, TikTok, etc.
- Third-party sites – Such as Bark
Check out this example from qualified nutritionist Fulda Birkaya who uses Bark to advertise her services, note all her linked profiles are included so potential clients can get greater insight into her work:
For more information on how you can make an impact in the self-employed job market, check out our article detailing how to become a nutritionist online.
Are Nutritionists in High Demand Across Different Sectors of The Job Market?
The role of a nutritionist is varied, depending on which sector you work in aspects such as your clients and responsibilities can differ. For example, what’s expected of a sports nutritionist will differ from a professional working in a clinical setting.
But are nutritionists in high demand across these different sectors? Let’s discuss this by looking closely at various positions:
#1 Sports Nutrition
To get a clear understanding of just how popular this industry is with clients, Mintel estimated that the UK’s sports nutrition market is currently worth £198 million. This provides clear insight into the growing demand for these experts, proving that clients are willing to invest in these services.
Additionally, according to Euromonitor, the demand for online sports nutrition e-commerce is expected to grow by 60% between now and 2028. This huge increase shows that consumers are willing to invest in virtual services, which you can capitalise on.
For example, you could create bespoke meal plans that help them reach their fitness goals and sell them through your website and social media platforms. You could also offer nutrition coaching services and provide clients with support online.
Many sporting institutions like sports clubs, training centres, and private clinics are looking to recruit a sports nutritionist on sites like UK Sport.
#2 Clinical Nutritionists
Another area that is driving demand in the nutrition industry is the healthcare sector, which regularly employs professionals to offer guidance and support to patients.
The British Dietetic Association addressed the growing need for nutritionists, stating that the NHS aims to expand the number of dietetic workers by 14%. This plan was put in place because there are simply not enough current employees to meet this demand.
To develop this plan, the UK government plans to develop targeted recruitment campaigns that aim to attract a diverse and inclusive range of nutritionists who come from different backgrounds and walks of life.
#3 Private Sector and Wellness
Nutritionists are also in demand within the private sector, specifically in businesses and employers looking to support their employees. This is supported by research conducted by Grade View Research who estimated that this particular sector will grow annually by 4.38%.
This role would include offering nutrition counselling to staff to help them improve their diets to improve their overall well-being.
The growth of the nutritionist job market will offer you the chance to find long-term job security as society starts to focus more on health to improve their well-being.
Is The Nutritionist Job Market Expected to Grow With This Demand?
Between 2023 and 2030, Insights 10 reports that the value of the nutrition industry will grow from $797.4 million (£653.868 million) to $1,003.6 million (£822.952 million). These projections show there will be a demand for nutrition services in the years to come, across the entire industry – not just specific sub-sectors.
These projections capture people’s changing attitudes towards their health and nutrition to improve their quality of life. They want professional guidance to manage or reduce their risks from chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
The growing nutritionist job market offers a bright future for people entering the market as they will play a vital role in the future of healthcare.
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What is The Average Salary in The Nutritionist Job Market?
It’s only natural to question how much you could earn from becoming a nutritionist. For clarity, there is no one definitive answer, as your earnings can be influenced by several factors such as:
- The amount of experience you have
- Your locations
- How you’re employed
- What sector do you work in
For example, Indeed reports that the average salary of a nutritionist in London is £30,065. This is compared to the same position in Manchester which averages out at £23,981 per year.
There are reasons for such price differences, including:
- Living costs- It’s normally more expensive to live and use transport in London
- Talent demand- London is a competitive job market to find skilled workers
- Skills and experience- Companies in the capital may offer higher salaries to secure specialised talent
How the level of experience can influence salary is reflected by Prospects, who state that an entry-level nutritionist position pays between £22,000 and £28,000 every year. Compare this to roles that require more experience, as the report finds these positions pay an annual salary of £30,000 – £40,000.
If you decide to become a self-employed nutritionist, you’ll be pleased to know that your earning potential is uncapped. This is because you are directly in charge of the prices you set, which can be influenced by:
- Services you offer
- Business Location
- Experience
- Opening hours
- Rates you charge
Check out our article “The Salary of a Nutritionist”“for further insight into this topic.
How to Break Into The Nutritionist Job Market
If you’re looking to successfully break into the nutritionist job market, you first need to decide which sector you would like to work in. There are many areas to choose from, such as sports nutrition and clinical settings.
You then need to decide how you want to work, whether that’s a contracted position with an employer or starting your own business and becoming self-employed.
Earning a Level 4 Nutrition Qualification is a great starting point, as with this qualification you can develop essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry.
During this course, you will learn how to:
- Carry out nutritional assessments to learn about your client’s habits
- Write meal plans that support a client’s fitness goals
- Tailor your advice for specialist populations – e.g. diabetic client
To learn more about how you can become self-employed read this article on “How to Start a Nutrition Business”.
Alternatively, you could use your Level 4 Nutrition qualification to apply for contract positions. For example, this application for Royal Tunbridge Wells is seeking a Nutrition Advice Specialist:
You could apply for this position leveraging your skills and experience from your Level 4 Nutrition qualification to promote yourself as the ideal candidate.
However, if you’re eyeing clinical nutrition roles to work in hospitals and medical centres, there may be a requirement for you to have additional requirements.
For example, vacancies at the NHS typically require you to hold a degree in nutrition, dietetics or health science to ensure your ability as a nutritionist to comply with medical standards.
To learn more read our article on pursuing nutrition roles that require a degree vs no degree.
How to Stand Out In Competitive Nutritionist Job Market
To succeed in the nutritionist job market, you must know how to stand out. Below are two key ways you can improve your appeal towards clients and employers::
#1 Combine Services with Personal Training
If your peers are already offering similar services, you can set yourself apart by combining your nutritionist services with personal training. Be aware that you will need to hold a Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma to do so.
JM Nutrition already does this by offering personal training and nutrition services, along with Strength and Conditioning training:
By offering training in different fields, JM Nutrition provides clients with a fully rounded service, with bespoke training programmes and meal plans that work to support each other, in pursuit of the client’s unique goals.
Providing additional services can also allow you to charge an increased fee, as you’re offering something of greater value than a standard meal plan.
If you’re looking to find work with an employer, you’ll also need to have relevant experience.
These qualifications demonstrate your capability to work 1-to-1 with clients, offering both Personal Training and Sports Nutrition services.
An example of this demand can be seen in job listings where employers specifically seek nutritionists with personal training skills to create holistic health plans. This is evident from the following example below from Lyfe Health in Bournemouth:
Being able to write nutrition plans and training sessions for clients will make you stand out as a multi-skilled fitness professional and put you in a stronger position to apply for jobs that require someone with nutrition experience.
This can increase your employability but also challenge you as you work each day to meet the wide range of client needs you deal with.
#2 Develop a Specialism
Focusing on a specialism can be a great way for you to separate yourself from the pack. You may want to develop a niche service to achieve this such as managing clients who have weight problems or health conditions such as diabetes.
An example of a nutritionist who did just this is Milena Kaler, who chose to specialise in weight loss:
Offering a niche service such as obesity management can set you apart from the competition. It demonstrates you have a high level of expertise in a specialist area and can help attract an entirely new demographic of clients.
Completing a specialist qualification such as a Level 4 Obesity Management Course can help strengthen your skills and knowledge in this particular field.
The certificate will also provide credibility to prospective clients who are considering investing in your business. When you advertise yourself as holding this qualification, the clients will know they can trust your advice and guidance.
Before You Go!
The demand for nutritionists is increasing, making it an ideal time to break into the job market. As discussed throughout this article, there are plenty of fields you can explore allowing you to land a job you’re genuinely interested in.
Feeling confident about breaking into the nutritionist job market? Enquire about OriGym’s Level 4 Nutrition Qualification to develop the necessary skills and knowledge needed for the role.
Download our course prospectus to learn more about this qualification and all of our award-winning training.
