RDBA releases retail dietitian salary survey
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Retail Dietitians Business Alliance on Wednesday announced the results of the first salary survey for retail dietitians. The study reveals average salaries, compensation satisfaction and provides additional career information as it pertains to retail dietitians. Currently, there are more than 600 retail registered dietitians throughout the United States that most often work in supermarkets, helping shoppers and employees make food and nutrition choices that meet their families' health and wellness needs.
"Retailers realize that retail dietitians are an integral part of the store experience and can boost sales exponentially while also creating customer loyalty," stated Phil Lempert, CEO and president of the RDBA. "This salary survey is the first of its kind and provides valuable information for dietitians, their employers and those who are interested in this as a career. We are grateful to the RDBA members who participated."
Survey highlights include:
75% of retail dietitians have an annual salary between $41,000 and $70,000;
56% of retail dietitians have a bonus structure significantly higher than the 8% of RDs in other fields — 20% of retail RDs receive stock options and 30% have the opportunity to participate in employee stock purchase programs;
Average salaries between store, regional and corporate RDs have an approximate $10,000 difference with store RDs paid less than corporate RDs;
At the time the survey was conducted, no retail RDs carried the VP title. As health and wellness continues to drive business at retail, dietitians should have stronger leadership roles in the retail industry; and
Retail dietitians' rank their satisfaction with compensation a six on a 1-to-10 scale.
There is a difference in compensation satisfaction based on corporate titles with directors being the most satisfied followed by managers, dietitians then nutritionists. Those who have worked in the retail setting for 10 or more years have higher rates of satisfaction.
"This is an important discussion point for our members," Lempert said. "Perhaps the retail dietitians need to better integrate into the company by taking a corporate title that aligns with their position and responsibilities. This could potentially increase overall job and compensation satisfaction as having a corporate title such as director may come with other perks such as stock options."
In addition, the number of stores in the retail chain appeared to have an impact on compensation satisfaction. RDs employed by retailers with 500 or more stores were the least satisfied with their compensation with a rating of 5.1, compared to those at retailers with 100-500 stores (5.7), retailers with less than 50 stores (6.6), and those at retailers with 50-100 stores (7.1).
There's a direct return on investment with retail dietitians, reported Caroline Passerrello, a corporate dietitian with Giant Eagle. Customers can spend 5% to 7% percent more after meeting with a dietitian. "What first began as an offering in a special health food section of the store is now integrated throughout the store," she said. "We're looking to innovate again, to combine technology with personalization. Putting a sign with nutritional information on the shelf is nice, but you may not be interested in that information. We want to help personalize nutritional advice for our customers as they shop."