Skip to content
Boston Career Explorer

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Dietetic Technicians

Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.

Also called: Cook Chill Technician (CCT), Diet Assistant, Diet Clerk, Diet Tech (Diet Technician), Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician), Diet Technician Registered (DTR)

Median pay in Greater Boston
$40,130
$19.29/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
720
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+3.9%
120 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$37,540$38,480$40,130$47,260$55,380

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
  • Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
  • Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
  • Supervise food production or service or assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
  • Plan menus or diets or guide individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
  • Develop job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure51 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 43
  • Language-model AIOE 43
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 66

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

Dietetic technicians have moderate AI exposure, and observed AI use in this kind of work is substantial. AI tools can help with tracking food intake and weight, reviewing dietary histories, and drafting menus or meal plans. Preparing meals, supervising food service, and talking with patients and families about food still rely on people.

Likely to change

  • Tracking food intake and body weight
  • Drafting menus and meal plans

Still relies on people

  • Preparing meals and supervising food service
  • Counseling patients and families about food

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

    Licensed practical nurses also observe patients and report changes. The job pays $82,190, about twice as much, and requires a postsecondary nondegree award.

    Pay difference
    +$42,060 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +2.9%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award

  • Respiratory Therapists

    Respiratory therapists monitor how patients respond to treatment and consult with doctors. The job pays $104,580, is growing 10.4%, and requires an associate's degree.

    Pay difference
    +$64,450 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +10.4%
    To get started
    Associate's degree

  • Home Health and Personal Care Aides

    Home health aides plan and prepare meals for prescribed diets. The job needs only short on-the-job training and is growing 12.8% in Massachusetts.

    Pay difference
    +$780 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +12.8%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

10 programs near Boston (plus 12 graduate)

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach