Some occupations have a better reputation for honesty than others. Gallup examines the issue in a reoccurring poll showing that nurses are the most trusted professionals in the United States, followed by doctors and pharmacists. They have actually topped the ranking for two decades and were regarded as highly honest and ethical by 79 percent of respondents in 2022, down from a coronavirus high of 89 percent in 2020.

Other than the healthcare sector, trusted professionals in the eyes of Americans also come from the fields of teaching, the judiciary and law enforcement, despite long-standing criticism of police behavior that came to a boil in the country in 2020. Other professions that more people see positively than negatively are accountant, banker and real estate agent.

Public opinion flips for labor union leaders, lawyers, journalists and business executives, with skepticism towards these occupations prevailing. Journalists were among the professions dropping the most in the ranking since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. At the very bottom of the list, members of Congress rub shoulders with those from professions traditionally considered untrustworthy, like car salespeople and telemarketers. 62 percent of respondents said Congresspeople had low standards of honesty and ethics.

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