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Hello everyone, and welcome to PT Pioneer.
In this article, I’ll be providing you with your ultimate guide to a nutrition coach’s earning potential.
To give you a good idea of what your income could be like, I’ll look at the following:
I’ll cover all your burning questions as well as provide a nifty FAQ for a quickfire glance.
If you want more answers, don’t forget to take my quiz to help you decide which cert fits your situation.
And with that said, let’s jump right into it.
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Introduction
What is a Nutrition Coach?
In this segment, I’ll give more explanation on what is a nutrition coach and how it differs from other similar nomenclatures.
I go over the job description and scope of practice of a nutrition coach in a separate article which you can read here.
By now you probably have a decent understanding of what a nutrition coach is, but just as a refresher, a typical nutritional health coach’s job description includes:
- Assessing clients’ nutritional situation and goals
- Creating a comprehensive program within realistic parameters to achieve those goals
- Meal planning and scheduling
- Meal prepping
- Supplements guide
- Shopping list
- Food journal
- Tracking, follow-ups, and feedback
- Modification of the program where the need arises
What Factors Influence Salary
Below, you will understand better the factors that will influence your salary as a nutrition coach.
Before I get into what figures you can expect to pull, I want us to go over what factors play into salary stats.
Understanding what factors are at play will help you optimize your career towards the upper percentile of the income bracket while avoiding common pitfalls.
1. Location
Location is one of the most well-understood factors that influence income.
For generations, people have traveled across borders and continents to ply their trades in more lucrative markets.
Economic migration is a testament to the power of location when it comes to salary and income potential.
Nutrition coaching is no different from any other job title and is also subject to location-based fluctuation.
But how exactly does location play a role?
Local Economy
The local economy of a geographic location is probably the leading sub-factor for the influence of location on salary.
A strong local economy means an active consumer base and more disposable income.
This means more people will be able to afford your services, and let’s face it, a nutrition coach isn’t a typical feature on many people’s monthly budgets.
That means to succeed and pull in the big bucks; you’ll want to situate yourself in areas with a strong economy, strong middle class, and a sizable luxury market.
This would mean locating yourself in affluent areas and cities, states, or countries with strong economies, allowing you to optimize your pricing.
Not only do the populations in such areas have more to spend, but they will also likely have adopted a hands-on attitude towards their general wellness, which brings us to the second sub-factor.
Population Health
Population health is a measure of how healthy and fit the general population in a given location is.
Population health stats are usually measured based on key health indicators such as obesity rates and mortality rates, and the prevalence of certain diseases.
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Diseases such as heart disease, type II diabetes, and certain cancers all impact how healthy and health-conscious a population is.
Your best bet is to situate yourself in areas with a decent public health profile as a nutrition coach.
That’s because this is an indication that the population is generally health-conscious, which translates to being willing to spend on their health and fitness.
That increases your odds for success.
Credentials
A nutrition coach doesn’t need credentials, although I highly suggest you get some form of qualifications.
We’ll go more into that later.
Your credentials have the power to elevate your status by the mere virtue of having them.
The higher your credentials, the higher you will be regarded, and the more credible people will presume you are.
Regardless of this, higher-level credentials such as a university degree will generally open your eyes to a deeper understanding of nutritional principles, both practical and scientific.
You will have a wealth of knowledge and skills that will put your cut above the rest, and this very fact is something you can take to the bank.
However, taking on a degree program is quite a massive decision, and if your goal is just to work as a nutrition coach, I suggest something a little more down-to-earth.
A certification specializing in nutrition coaching is a good way to go.
My top picks are:
- ISSA Nutritionist Certification
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 and 2
- NSAM CNC
- Fitness Mentors CNS
- NCSF SNS
- ACE FNS
- AFPA Nutrition and Wellness Certification
- NESTA Fitness/Sports Nutrition Coach
I go into a lot more detail on these in my “8 Best Nutrition Certifications article.
When it comes to nutrition credentials, an important thing to consider is the business aspect of nutrition coaching.
While most certs offer a good curriculum around the science of nutrition and the practical applications of nutrition programming, few give proper attention to things’ business side.
Your income depends on how business savvy you are, which means learning how to operate as an effective entrepreneur.
For that reason, I would highly recommend either ISSA Nutrition or Fitness Mentors Certified Nutrition Specialist.
That’s because these two nutrition certs get down to business (no pun intended) when it comes to guiding you through the entrepreneurial requirements of running a successful nutrition service.
Level of Experience
Another important factor in optimizing your income as a nutrition coach is your level of experience.
This simply means how much time you’ve spent in the trenches working as a nutrition specialist.
The more time and experience you have, the more money you’re eligible to make as you move up the salary range.
Firstly, the maturity of your presence and that of your brand in the industry increases in value over time.
That is, of course, if you’ve been building a positive, results-driven reputation in your career.
Having a lot of skin in the game also allows you to dignify yourself as an expert or authority.
You can place a premium on your level of expertise, and you’ll also have the opportunity to apply for higher, more lucrative positions if you’re going the employment route.
At about 3 to 5 years of experience is where most people in the fitness space begin to see rewards and big returns.
This, of course, depends on commitment and consistency while implementing effective business and marketing strategies.
How Much Does A Nutrition Health Coach Make in America
Do you know how much a nutrition coach earns in The USA?
Read on to find out!
Now let’s break down the actual numbers, and when it comes to salary, a nutrition coach in America can expect to earn an average of $40,638 per year.
As I previously mentioned, salary is location dependant, so I’ve taken the time to break down figures for each state according to salary.com.
| State | State Capital | Average Salary | |
| Alabama | AL | Montgomery | $38,476 |
| Alaska | AK | Juneau | $45,198 |
| Arizona | AZ | Phoenix | $40,036 |
| Arkansas | AR | Little Rock | $36,689 |
| California | CA | Sacramento | $45,961 |
| Colorado | CO | Denver | $41,097 |
| Connecticut | CT | Hartford | $46,165 |
| Delaware | DE | Dover | $43,288 |
| DC | DC | Washington DC | $45,238 |
| Florida | FL | Tallahassee | $39,562 |
| Georgia | GA | Atlanta | $40,199 |
| Hawaii | HI | Honolulu | $42,126 |
| Idaho | ID | Boise | $42,095 |
| Illinois | IL | Springfield | $40,638 |
| Indiana | IN | Indianapolis | $37,433 |
| Iowa | IA | Des Moines | $38,241 |
| Kansas | KS | Topeka | $39,895 |
| Kentucky | KY | Frankfort | $39,740 |
| Louisiana | LA | Baton Rouge | $37,785 |
| Maine | ME | Augusta | $41,935 |
| Maryland | MD | Annapolis | $45,184 |
| Massachusetts | MA | Boston | $45,787 |
| Michigan | MI | Lansing | $41,333 |
| Minnesota | MN | St. Paul | $39,411 |
| Mississippi | MS | Jackson | $36,374 |
| Missouri | MO | Jefferson City | $38,395 |
| Montana | MT | Helena | $40,638 |
| Nebraska | NE | Lincoln | $37,707 |
| Nevada | NV | Carson City | $41,512 |
| New Hampshire | NH | Concord | $38,421 |
| New Jersey | NJ | Trenton | $46,758 |
| New Mexico | NM | Santa Fe | $34,542 |
| New York | NY | Albany | $48,888 |
| North Carolina | NC | Raleigh | $38,566 |
| North Dakota | ND | Bismarck | $35,847 |
| Ohio | OH | Columbus | $39,017 |
| Oklahoma | OK | Oklahoma City | $37,001 |
| Oregon | OR | Salem | $42,190 |
| Pennsylvania | PA | Harrisburg | $39,406 |
| Rhode Island | RI | Providence | $42,588 |
| South Carolina | SC | Columbia | $38,592 |
| South Dakota | SD | Pierre | $36,481 |
| Tennessee | TN | Nashville | $37,286 |
| Texas | TX | Austin | $39,968 |
| Utah | UT | Salt Lake City | $37,028 |
| Vermont | VT | Montpelier | $40,016 |
| Virginia | VA | Richmond | $45,238 |
| Washington | WA | Olympia | $41,062 |
| West Virginia | WV | Charleston | $39,785 |
| Wisconsin | WI | Madison | $40,219 |
| Wyoming | WY | Cheyenne | $37,295 |
From these salary figures, we can see that most states do not deviate too far from the national average.
That means working as a nutrition coach presents similar salary potential no matter where you are situated across the United States.
It’s also important to remember that your salary’s dollar value doesn’t always translate to overall value.
You’ll also need to consider the cost of living in your area.
You’ll often find that areas with a low-income average also have a proportionately lower cost of living while high-income areas will have a disproportionately high cost of living.
Always consider how you will need to spend your money and how much of it you stand to make.
Online Nutrition Coaching
Join me below to find out how to use the digital space to expand your scope of operation.
We live in an age where society and economies are increasingly present online. The digital landscape is open for business, from shopping to education to ride home from work.
When it comes to health and fitness, the online world is a goldmine if you’re a professional.
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Online fitness is one of the most lucrative digital industries, and nutrition is part and parcel.
I would strongly urge you to get yourself a digital platform to supplement part-time or even create a hybrid model of your existing in-person nutrition and personal trainer services in this day and age.
With online coaching, you can increase the number of clients you have access to, thus increasing your income and revenue stream.
To have a successful online nutrition coaching business, you will need to invest time and money into building up your digital real estate.
That means setting up a website, social media channels, digital marketing assets, and creative content.
Conclusion
That is all I have for you on the Nutrition coach salary. You should maximize the opportunities it offers to help keep clients healthy.
Make a move on it soonest.
A nutrition coach career is a great way to supplement your existing services as a fitness or wellness coach.
However, on its own, nutrition coaching is a very narrow approach, and the income potential is relatively low compared to other sectors in professional health and fitness.
For that reason, I don’t see it as the most lucrative full-time job opportunity.
With a national average of sound $40k, you’re not exactly laughing to the bank.
Still, if you’re using nutrition coaching in combination with other more lucrative aspects of health and fitness, you’ll have an easier time lining your pockets.
For example, a health coach salary, along with the added value service of nutrition coaching would be a great combination.
I hope this article has provided the right amount of insight.
If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to drop a line in the comment section below, and I’ll get right to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Citations
eatrightpro.org
- 5 Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/become-an-rdn-or-dtr/high-school-student… - About Us
http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/about-us/what-is-an-rdn-and-dtr/what-is-… - https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/eatrightpro-files/career/become-an-rdn-or…
eatright.org
- Eatright.org – Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
http://www.eatright.org/ - Eatright.org – Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
https://www.eatright.org/ - http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6713
cdrnet.org
- – Commission on Dietetic Registration
https://www.cdrnet.org/ - 2024 GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENT – REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY – Commission on D…
https://www.cdrnet.org/new-graduate-degree-eligibility-requirement-effective-… - Guidelines for Credential Placement – Commission on Dietetic Registration
https://www.cdrnet.org/rd-credential-placement
bls.gov
- Dietitians and Nutritionists: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U…
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm - Bureau of Labor Statistics
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/mobile/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm - Dietitians and Nutritionists: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U…
https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
salary.com
- https://www.salary.com/tools/salary-calculator/health-and-wellness-coach
theana.org
- Certify | American Nutrition Association
https://theana.org/certify - Become a CNS® | American Nutrition Association
https://theana.org/certify/CNScandidate - Nutritionists & Health Professionals | American Nutrition Association
https://theana.org/certify/CNScandidate/nutritionpros/apply
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