Skills, Satisfaction, and Future Recommendations for Salary and Benefit Negotiation Success Among Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals in the United States

This study aimed to analyze the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of nutrition and dietetics professionals in the United States related to salary and benefit (S&B) negotiation. There is a lack of tools and training to assist in S&B negotiations within the nutrition profession. This study is the first to analyze these variables to formulate solutions for working professionals. Nutrition and dietetics professionals (N = 1239), 22 to 90 years of age, completed a 32-question, web-based survey in the late spring of 2021. Study information was disseminated via professional organization mailing lists, Dietetic Practice Groups, State dietetics groups, and social media pages/groups. Survey items addressed experience with, confidence in, interest in advancing skills to negotiate S&B, and past successes with negotiation. Participants were mostly white (90.2%), female (94.5%), Registered Dietitian (RD) (96.8%). Clinical nutrition practitioners had significantly lower salary satisfaction, experience, confidence, and negotiation success (p < 0.001) than all other practice areas but had a significantly higher interest in advancing S&B negotiation skills (p = .017). Those making $100,000 or more per year had the most negotiation experience, found the possession of negotiation skills to be the most valuable (p = 0.049), and had significantly more negotiation success (p < 0.001) than those making less than $74,000 per year. This study adds new and vital negotiations, with tailored training for success in different practice areas of nutrition and dietetics. information to the body of literature on S&B negotiation in the nutrition and dietetics profession. Early education, exposure, and empowerment are key factors in improving the negotiation experience. Future efforts by nutrition-focused professional organizations should aim to create continuing education opportunities to advance skills and confidence in S&B. None.