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
This article highlights findings from a recent Gallup poll on Americans' perceptions of the honesty and ethical standards of various professions. It draws from Gallup's annual survey, which consistently shows nurses at the top and certain sales/political roles at the bottom.
According to the poll data referenced in the article and aligned with Gallup's latest releases (including the 2025 survey conducted December 1–15, 2025), nurses continue their remarkable streak as the most trusted profession—for the 25th consecutive year.
**Nurses** earned a 75% rating for "very high" or "high" honesty and ethics, far ahead of others. This reflects sustained public admiration for their compassion, expertise, and integrity in patient care, even as ratings have dipped slightly from pandemic-era highs (when medical workers saw record support).
The top professions include:
- **Nurses**: 75% high/very high (only 4% low/very low)
- **Military veterans**: 67% (a newly prominent addition in recent polls)
- **Medical doctors**: 57%
- **Pharmacists**: 53%
- **High school teachers**: 50%
These figures show that only a handful of professions earn a majority of positive views on ethics.
On the flip side, the least trusted professions remain mired in low regard:
- **Telemarketers**: 5% high/very high (62% low/very low)
- **Members of Congress**: 7% (71% low/very low)
- **Car salespeople**: 7%
- **Stockbrokers**: 9%
- **Advertising practitioners**: 10%
The article points out a striking irony: Americans view car salespeople as slightly more ethical than members of Congress, underscoring deep public cynicism toward politicians. Other low-rated roles often include lobbyists, certain media positions, and business executives, though exact percentages vary slightly year-to-year.
Gallup's surveys (typically involving around 1,000 U.S. adults) reveal broader trends: Overall trust in professions has remained historically low or declined in recent years, with post-pandemic drops for healthcare roles like doctors and nurses (down from peaks of 2020). Professions involving direct care, education, or service tend to fare best, while those tied to sales, politics, or profit motives rank lowest.
This enduring pattern—nurses on top since 1999 (with one exception post-9/11 when firefighters briefly led)—highlights societal values: Americans prize roles involving selfless help and trust over those perceived as self-interested or manipulative.
While ratings fluctuate modestly, the hierarchy has stayed remarkably stable over decades, offering a window into cultural priorities amid ongoing debates about trust in institutions.