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Diet Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Diet Technician I make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Diet Technician I in the United States is $34,301 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Diet Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $39,362
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,925 to $36,950
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,762
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View as table View as graph 25% $31,925 10% $29,762 90% $39,362 75% $36,950 $34,301 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Diet Technician I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $36,950 $3,079 $711 $18
Average $34,301 $2,858 $660 $16
25th Percentile $31,925 $2,660 $614 $15
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Key Factors That Influence Diet Technician I Salaries

A Diet Technician I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Diet Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Diet Technician I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Diet Technician I (0-1 years): $34,301
  • Diet Technician II (1-3 years): $38,310
  • Dietitian Supervisor (3+ years): $56,006
  • Dietitian Manager (3-5 years): $83,704
  • Dietitian Director (5+ years): $102,353
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Diet Technician I0-1 years$34,301
Diet Technician II1-3 years$38,310
Dietitian Supervisor3+ years$56,006
Dietitian Manager3-5 years$83,704
Dietitian Director5+ years$102,353
$34,301 Diet Tech...
$38,310 Diet Tech...
$56,006 Dietitian...
$83,704 Dietitian...
$102,353 Dietitian...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Diet Technician Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $43,264
  • San Francisco: $42,790
  • Oakland: $41,888

What Skills Can Increase a Diet Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.92% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Food Handling (Mentioned in 4.38% Job Postings): Food Handling means one or more operations of food production, manufacture, offering or displaying for sale, storage, preserving, wrapping, transportation, delivery, importation, exportation, or the licensing or approval for any of such activities.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 1.65% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.92%
Food Handling 4.38%
Foodservice 1.65%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Diet Technician I's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$38,760
13%
Commitment
$36,702
7%
Written Communication
$36,359
6%
Patient Care
$36,016
5%
Problem Solving
$35,673
4%
HACCP
$35,330
3%
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Diet Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Diet Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $36,620. While startup companies pay approximate $31,136.

Diet Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$31,136
Growth Stage51~500$32,888
Established501~5000$35,409
Enterprise5000+$36,620

Diet Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Diet Technician I roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Diet Technician positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Diet Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Diet Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$39,446$19.015%

How Education impacts a Diet Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Diet Technician Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Diet Technician I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $31,759 and $33,534).

Diet Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Diet Technician I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 20.0%
High School 20.0%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 60.0%
Masters 20.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Diet Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Diet Technician I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Diet Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Diet Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Diet Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $38,310 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Diet Technician I

Salaries for a Diet Technician I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $41,743 in 2023 to around $40,805 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Diet Technician I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Diet Technician I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$41,743
2024
$41,215
2025
$40,805
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $41,743
2024 $41,215
2025 $40,805
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Diet Technician I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Diet Technician I

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FAQ about Diet Technician I

1. Where can a Diet Technician I earn the most?

A Diet Technician I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Diet Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Diet Technician I is $43,264.

2. What is the highest pay for Diet Technician I?

The highest pay for Diet Technician I is $39,362.

3. What is the lowest pay for Diet Technician I?

The lowest pay for Diet Technician I is $29,762.

4. What are the responsibilities of Diet Technician I?

Provides assistance in all food service functions to ensure compliance with patients' prescribed nutrition plans. Assists the dietitian with patient data collection, nutrition screening, and modified menu planning. Accurately edits patients' menu selections according to nutrition standards to ensure patients receive food that is compliant with diet orders. Assists in food preparation and serving. Monitors intake and acceptance of required meals and supplements. Tracks patients' food intake and calorie count results. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a dietitian. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Diet Technician I?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Diet Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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