Weight Reduction Specialist

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Work Tasks

• Give advice to people who want to lose weight
• Look at what people eat and suggest changes in their diet
• Teach customers how to keep a food diary and set weight loss goals
• Plan menus, suggest exercises, and weigh customers to see how well they are doing
• Work for hospitals, outpatient clinics, wellness programs, diet workshops, gyms, sports teams, and in private practice
• Work with menus, recipes, scales, cameras, client files, and exercise equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $52,000 average per year ($25.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (53,500 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in dietetics, nutrition, or food systems management
• Skills/Courses: Training includes clinical internship.
• Certification/Licensing: Most weight reduction specialists are registered and have passed a national exam.