Nutrition and Dietetics Degree Programs in Montana (2026)
Quick answer: Montana employs about 230 dietitians and nutritionists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and your state licensing board. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare nutrition and dietetics programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Montana
The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential requires an ACEND-accredited program, supervised practice and a national examination - and effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration requires a graduate degree for examination eligibility. Most states license or certify dietetics practice on top of the RDN.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and your state licensing board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Dietitians and Nutritionists Earn in Montana
Dietitians and Nutritionists in Montana earn a median $71,580 per year, below the national median of $76,400 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Nutrition and Dietetics Pay and Employment in Montana at a Glance
| Metric | Montana | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $71,580 | $76,400 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $60,280 | $49,090 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $63,380 | $63,080 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $78,540 | $89,340 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $90,740 | $103,720 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 230 | 77,570 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.9 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 5.5% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Montana Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Montana median of $71,580 sits below the national median of $76,400 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.9 puts Montana slightly below the national average, so the occupation is a little less common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Montana
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | $71,780 | 60 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Dietetics employment follows the health system: hospitals, long-term care and outpatient clinics anchor demand, with schools and public health adding the rest.
Dietitians and Nutritionists Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dietitians and nutritionists wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 60 | $71,780 | $70,290 | $53,900 | $83,030 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Montana?
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists in Montana is $71,580, below the national median of $76,400 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $63,380 at the 25th percentile to $78,540 at the 75th.
How many dietitians and nutritionists work in Montana?
Montana holds about 230 dietitian jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 77,570, and BLS projects about 6,200 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a dietitian in Montana?
The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential requires an ACEND-accredited program, supervised practice and a national examination - and effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration requires a graduate degree for examination eligibility. Most states license or certify dietetics practice on top of the RDN. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and your state licensing board before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a nutrition bachelor's or master's online while working in Montana?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the Commission on Dietetic Registration and your state licensing board.
What is the highest-paying area of Montana for dietitians and nutritionists?
Among Montana metro areas with published data, Billings reports the highest median at $71,780 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Montana a good state for dietitians and nutritionists?
On pay, the state median of $71,580 sits below the national $76,400 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.9 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Nutrition and Dietetics programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Culinary Chef career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Dietitians and Nutritionists (SOC 29-1031), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.