America's Most Prestigious Professions

from Felix Richter, Statista.com
by Niall McCarthy

According to The Harris Poll, doctors, military officers and firefighters are seen as the most prestigious professions in the United States, despite the fact that most adults would encourage their kids to pursue a career in engineering.

Doctors are first in the prestige league – 88 percent of American adults believe the profession has either “a great deal of prestige” or “prestige” in general.

Military officers are also held in high regard across the United States, with 78 percent of people finding the profession prestigious. Firefighters complete the top three with 76 percent finding the job prestigious. What about engineering, the career most people want their children to pursue? It comes sixth in the prestige stakes, with 69 percent, ahead of police offers, priests, architects and teachers.

This chart shows the percentage of people finding the following professions prestigious.