The 5 most ethical professions, according to Americans — and the 5 least ethical
A new Gallup poll finds that Americans believe car salespeople are more honest and ethical than members of Congress
If you feel judged for what you do for work, you aren’t going crazy — Americans make plenty of judgments based on someone else’s job. And thanks to Gallup, we know what those are.
Every year, Gallup polls Americans on the most and least ethical professionals, asking people how they regard everyone from doctors to teachers to police officers.
The findings often reflect what’s happening in the country. Gallup said doctors and nurses scored all-time high ratings during the pandemic. Both have since fallen a little. Meanwhile, the poll's results show that Americans believe car salespeople are more honest and ethical than members of Congress, which certainly speaks to how everyday people regard politicians.
Continue reading to see the five professions Americans deemed most and least honest and ethical.
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5th least ethical: Advertising practitioners
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Advertising practitioners ranked as the fifth least ethical profession: 45% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 41% said average, and just 10% rated them high or very high.
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4th least ethical: Stockbrokers
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Stockbrokers ranked as the fourth least ethical profession: 41% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 46% said average, and just 9% rated them high or very high.
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3rd least ethical: Car salespeople
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Car salespeople ranked as the third least ethical profession: 49% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 43% said average, and just 7% rated them high or very high.
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2nd least ethical: Members of Congress
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Members of Congress ranked as the second least ethical profession: 71% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 22% said average, and just 7% rated them high or very high.
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Least ethical: Telemarketers
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Telemarketers ranked as the least ethical profession: 62% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 31% said average, and just 5% rated them high or very high.
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5th most ethical: High school teachers
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High school teachers ranked as the fifth most ethical profession: 15% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 34% said average, and 50% rated them high or very high.
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4th most ethical: Pharmacists
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Pharmacists ranked as the fourth most ethical profession: 8% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 38% said average, and 53% rated them high or very high.
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3rd most ethical: Medical doctors
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Medical doctors ranked as the third most ethical profession: 11% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 31% said average, and 57% rated them high or very high.
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2nd most ethical: Military veterans
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Military veterans ranked as the second most ethical profession: 5% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 28% said average, and 67% rated them high or very high.
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Most ethical: Nurses
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Nurses ranked as the most ethical profession: 4% of people rated their honesty and ethics as low or very low, 21% said average, and 75% rated them high or very high.