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What Jobs Have the Highest Divorce Rates? (The Surprising Truth)
It’s a well-known statistic that approximately 40 to 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. While the exact figure is often debated, the reality remains that many couples face the challenges of marital dissolution.
Factors such as age, location, and career choices can significantly influence the likelihood of divorce. This raises an interesting question: do certain professions increase your risk of divorce? Or are there jobs that might support a more stable marital life?
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s PUMS, we analyzed the divorce rates among various job categories for individuals under 30 years old.
The findings reveal a notable trend: blue-collar workers, often referred to as “tradies,” have higher divorce rates compared to other professions.
Jobs With The Highest Divorce Rates
- Conveyor, Dredge, and Hoist and Winch Operators
- Avionics Technicians
- Small Engine Mechanics
- Logging Workers
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- First-Line Enlisted Military Supervisors
- Military
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
Conversely, jobs requiring higher education, particularly in healthcare, tend to have lower divorce rates.
Jobs With The Lowest Divorce Rates
- Physicians
- Other Life Scientists
- Physical Therapists
- Software Developers
- Lawyers, Judges, Magistrates, and Other Judicial Workers
- Pharmacists
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Clergy
- Physical Scientists, All Other
- Financial and Investment Analysts
Continue reading to explore the divorce rates, view insightful charts, and understand what these statistics imply for different professions.
Divorce By Age 30: A Detailed Breakdown
To provide further insight, we examined the divorce rates by specific job titles for individuals at age 30, which is illustrated in the following graph:
The data can be overwhelming at a glance, so let’s zoom in on the top 20 professions:
Key observations include:
- The top three professions with the highest divorce rates are all within the trades sector.
- The disparity in divorce rates is striking: for instance, Conveyor, Dredge, and Hoist and Winch Operators have a divorce rate of 22%, while Physicians enjoy a mere 2% divorce rate.
- High-stress jobs, such as those in the military and first responders, may contribute to increased marital strain due to demanding hours.
- Most professions with low divorce rates require at least a four-year degree or higher education.
- Interestingly, clergy members exhibit low divorce rates, unexpectedly outperforming various professions, including legal practitioners.
What Does All This Mean?
It’s important to note that having a high divorce rate doesn’t inherently determine the happiness or satisfaction of marriages in any profession. For instance, one can be a joyful winch operator or a dissatisfied physician; the statistics merely illustrate the likelihood of divorce in various careers.
However, it’s evident that certain professions carry a significantly higher risk of divorce before age 30. Stressful work environments, irregular hours, and demanding job roles can strain marriages.
Additionally, many individuals in trades and military careers often enter the workforce at a younger age. Consequently, they may marry earlier, leading to a greater chance of experiencing divorce within a shorter timeframe.
On average, the first marriage that ends in divorce lasts about eight years. This timeline can be challenging to navigate for those in rigorous educational paths, such as medical school.
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Author
Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.
