Prevailing Wage for Dietetic Technicians
Prevailing wage for Dietetic Technicians, the DOL's official title for roles including Diet Assistant, Diet Tech, and Cook Chill Technician (CCT), is set by the Department of Labor across four experience levels. The floor varies significantly by city, so a sponsored offer in San Jose or Portland carries a different wage requirement than one in a lower-cost metro.
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Entry-level positions with limited experience, typically requiring an associate degree or certificate in dietetic technology and minimal independent judgment. Workers follow established protocols under close dietitian supervision with little variation in task scope.
Qualified technicians with moderate experience who apply standard procedures with some independence. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Dietetic Technicians, reflecting positions that require practical clinical or foodservice experience beyond initial training.
Experienced technicians who handle complex cases, train junior staff, or coordinate nutrition programs with limited oversight. Employers typically file at Level 3 for roles requiring several years of demonstrated dietetic practice and broader program responsibility.
Fully competent senior professionals with comprehensive expertise, often holding Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) credentials and taking lead responsibility for nutrition program design, quality oversight, or departmental coordination with minimal supervision.
Prevailing Wage for Dietetic Technicians by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Dietetic Technicians and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm your DTR credential matches the filing level
Employers filing for a registered Diet Technician (DTR) frequently file at Level 3 or Level 4. If your offer letter reflects a DTR role but the LCA shows Level 1 or Level 2, the prevailing wage floor may be understated for your actual scope.
Watch for low-wage metros in Texas and North Carolina
The prevailing wage floor for Diet Techs in markets like McAllen and Greensboro sits well below the national median. If your worksite is in a lower-wage metro, verify the LCA lists that specific city, not a higher-wage headquarters location.
Exclude signing bonuses when comparing your base to the floor
DOL prevailing wage compliance for Dietetic Technicians is measured against the base annual wage on the LCA. Signing bonuses, meal credits, or one-time payments do not count toward meeting the floor, so compare base salary only.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with dietetic sponsorship history
Healthcare systems and contract food service companies sponsor Dietetic Technicians at very different rates. Migrate Mate shows which employers have an actual H-1B or green card sponsorship record for this occupation, so you can focus on proven sponsors.
Jobs for Dietetic Technicians are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Dietetic TechniciansPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 29-2051.00 alongside Dietetic Technicians, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Cook Chill Technician (CCT) Prevailing Wage
Cook Chill Technician (CCT) Prevailing Wage
Cook Chill Technician (CCT) positions fall under SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Diet Assistant Prevailing Wage
Diet Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Diet Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Diet Clerk Prevailing Wage
Diet Clerk Prevailing Wage
Diet Clerk is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Diet Tech (Diet Technician) Prevailing Wage
Diet Tech (Diet Technician) Prevailing Wage
Diet Tech (Diet Technician) positions fall under SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician) Prevailing Wage
Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Diet Technician Registered (DTR) Prevailing Wage
Diet Technician Registered (DTR) Prevailing Wage
Diet Technician Registered (DTR) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Dietary Aide Prevailing Wage
Dietary Aide Prevailing Wage
Dietary Aide positions fall under SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dietetic Assistant Prevailing Wage
Dietetic Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dietetic Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) Prevailing Wage
Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) Prevailing Wage
Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Nutrition Technician Prevailing Wage
Nutrition Technician Prevailing Wage
Nutrition Technician positions fall under SOC 29-2051.00 (Dietetic Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL set the prevailing wage for Dietetic Technicians?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to set prevailing wages for SOC 29-2051. Wages are calculated at the metro or state level and divided into four levels based on experience and complexity. Employers certify they will pay at least the applicable level wage on the Labor Condition Application filed with OFLC.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
Level 1 covers entry-level technicians with limited experience working under close supervision. Level 2 applies to qualified workers performing standard duties with some independence. Level 3 covers experienced technicians handling complex tasks or leading others. Level 4 applies to fully competent senior practitioners, often DTRs, with broad program responsibility. The level should reflect your actual job duties and experience, not just your title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Diet Tech role differ so much by city?
DOL sets wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, so each metro area reflects local labor market conditions. Dense healthcare markets like San Jose and San Francisco push wages significantly higher than markets with fewer dietetic employers. Under the LCA rules, the wage floor must match the worksite city listed on the application, not your employer's headquarters location.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify a Labor Condition Application with OFLC if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level for the worksite location. USCIS will not approve an H-1B or employment-based green card petition without a certified LCA. If the offer is below the floor, the employer must raise the wage before filing or the petition cannot proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up the current prevailing wage for Dietetic Technicians (SOC 29-2051) by selecting your state and metro area. You can also review recent LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wages employers have certified for this role in your target city. Migrate Mate can help you identify employers who have sponsored Dietetic Technicians positions and compare those opportunities by location.
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