Improve the nation's diet and fight obesity, diabetes and malnutrition. Public health nutritionists design and run national nutrition programmes, train health workers, and advise on food policy for the Ministry of Health & Wellness and regional health authorities.
Salary Breakdown
Nutritionist and dietitian posts in regional health authorities and hospitals - indicative estimate at Bands 6-7 of the restructured scale; not from an MOH&W advertisement.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($3,756,467 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $3,756,467 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$112,694 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$75,129 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$81,984 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$435,353 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $3,051,305 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
High School & CXC Subjects
Pass CSEC Biology, Chemistry, Food and Nutrition, Mathematics and English. CAPE Biology or Chemistry helps for degree entry.
5 years (Forms 1-5) - 2
BSc in Nutrition, Dietetics or Food & Nutrition
Complete a first degree that includes supervised practice.
3 - 4 years - 3
CPSM Registration
Register with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM), which MOH nutrition posts require.
3 - 6 months - 4
Nutritionist / Dietitian
Work in hospitals, health centres or community programmes.
3 - 5 years - 5
Master's in Nutrition or Public Health
MOH programme posts require a master's that includes one year of research, plus five years' progressive experience.
1 - 2 years - 6
Programme Development Officer / Director, Nutrition Services
Lead national programmes (HPC/ND 4) and later direct nutrition services (HPC/ND 6, nine years' experience, five managerial).
5+ years
Required Education
- CSEC/CXC Biology, Chemistry, Food and Nutrition, Mathematics, English
- Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or Food and Nutrition
- Master's degree in Nutrition or Public Health (for programme posts)
- Registration with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM)
Common Local Certifications
- Registration with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM)
- Postgraduate training in management (asset)
Where to Train
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) - College of Health Sciences
- Northern Caribbean University (NCU) - Nutrition and Dietetics
- University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI) - MPH programme