Home / Federal careers / GS-0630
Dietitian and Nutritionist
Performs professional dietetics and nutrition work including nutrition assessment, therapy, and education.
What GS-0630 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0630, as written.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Individual Occupational Requirements
Education (must meet ONE):
- Bachelor's or graduate degree in dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science from ACEND-accredited program
- Completion of AND-approved coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or supervised clinical component
- Current registration as Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Note: Candidates completing AND-approved supervised practice programs or holding RD/RDN registration meet requirements for GS-7.
Grandfathering: Employees in this series as of September 2017 are considered to have met basic requirements.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0630
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Diet Therapy
Dietitian pathway.
Skills that carry over: Nutrition Counseling, Meal Planning, Diet Assessment, Patient Education, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Nutrition Care Specialist
GS-0630 Dietitian and Nutritionist is the professional series once you complete a dietetics bachelor's degree and supervised practice. Strong target after using the GI Bill.
Skills that carry over: Clinical nutrition, Medical nutrition therapy, Patient assessment, Nutrition education.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Assess nutritional status of patients
- Develop nutrition care plans
- Provide medical nutrition therapy
- Educate patients on dietary requirements
- Manage food service operations
- Conduct nutrition research
Key competencies
Clinical Nutrition
Knowledge of therapeutic diets and medical nutrition therapy.
Nutritional Assessment
Ability to evaluate nutritional status of individuals and populations.
Menu Planning
Skill in developing nutritionally balanced meal plans.
Patient Counseling
Ability to provide nutrition education and dietary guidance.
Food Service Management
Knowledge of food service operations and quality standards.
Research Methods
Skill in conducting nutrition-related research and analysis.
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of food safety regulations and nutrition standards.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Ability to work with healthcare teams on patient nutrition care.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0630
What is a federal Dietitian or Nutritionist?
GS-0630 Dietitians and Nutritionists provide medical nutrition therapy, assess patient nutritional status, develop diet plans, educate patients, and manage food service operations. They work at VA hospitals, military treatment facilities, IHS clinics, and federal food programs ensuring proper nutrition for patients and populations.
How much does a federal Dietitian make?
GS-0630 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) for interns to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for chiefs and program managers. Most clinical dietitians are GS-9 to GS-11 ($52,205-$82,108). Food service directors reach GS-12. Add locality pay of 15-40% for metro areas.
What are the requirements for GS-0630 positions?
A bachelor's degree (or higher) in dietetics, food and nutrition, or related field is mandatory—this is a positive education requirement. Registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is typically required. Completion of accredited dietetic internship needed for registration.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0630?
The degree requirement cannot be substituted, but military dietitian experience is highly valued. Army 65C, Navy and Air Force dietitians transition directly to federal positions. Veterans with nutrition degrees who served in food service or medical roles have relevant background to complement required education.
What is the career progression for Dietitians?
Entry at GS-5/7 (internship/early career), clinical dietitians at GS-9/11, senior clinicians at GS-11/12. Chiefs of Nutrition and Food Service reach GS-12/13. Specialization in renal, diabetes, or oncology nutrition enhances advancement. VA offers robust dietitian career ladders.
How do I apply for GS-0630 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Dietitian,' 'Nutritionist,' or 'Clinical Dietitian.' VA hospitals are the largest employer. Also check IHS, DoD, and USDA food programs. Highlight your RD/RDN credential, clinical specialty, and patient education experience. Veterans with nutrition backgrounds are valued at VA.
Ready to apply for GS-0630?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.