Which professions do Americans trust the most? (2024)

(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

1. Nurses (78%)
2. Veterinarians (65%)
3. Engineers (60%)
4. Dentists (59%)
5. 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

1. Members of Congress (6%)
2. Senators (8%)
3. Car salespeople (8%)
4. Advertising practitioners (8%)
5. Stockbrokers (12%)