(NewsNation) — When it comes to the most trusted professions, Americans rank members of Congress dead last behind car salespeople, according to a new Gallup survey.
Just 6% of respondents in a recent poll rated members of Congress “high” or “very high” on honesty and ethical standards — the lowest share out of 23 professions measured. Senators, car salespeople and advertising pros weren’t perceived much better — all three were tied at 8%.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, nurses (78%), veterinarians (65%) and engineers (60%) were the most trusted, Gallup found.
Overall, there has been a decline in trust across the board. Out of 23 professions, only labor union leaders had a higher rating now compared to 2019, increasing one point from 24% to 25%.
Five professions hit new all-time lows this year: members of Congress (6%), senators (8%), journalists (19%), clergy (32%) and pharmacists (55%).
Trust in medical doctors has also fallen, dropping nine points from 2019 to 2023.
“The image of many professions — particularly those in the medical field — sharply improved in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that effect was short-lived, and many ratings have since declined to all-time lows,” the report noted.
Meanwhile, bankers (19%) and business executives (12%) tied their previous low points. College instructors saw the biggest partisan trust gap, with a 62% rating among Democrats and those who lean Democrat compared to 22% among Republicans and GOP-leaners.
The latest ethics ratings are from a Dec. 1-20, 2023, poll in which about 800 U.S. adults rated each of 23 professions.
Five most-trusted professions in 2023
Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields — very high, high, average, low or very low?
% Very high/High
- Nurses (78%)
- Veterinarians (65%)
- Engineers (60%)
- Dentists (59%)
- Medical Doctors (56%)
Five least-trusted professions in 2023
Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields — very high, high, average, low or very low?
% Very high/High
- Members of Congress (6%)
- Senators (8%)
- Car salespeople (8%)
- Advertising practitioners (8%)
- Stockbrokers (12%)
