Jobs can affect our lives in many ways, from financial security to feelings of fulfillment. Some jobs can even impact our personal relationships. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data, divorce is more common for people in certain types of jobs.
Professions with the highest (and lowest) rate of divorce
From the industry-wide standpoint, professions with the highest divorce rates include:
- Military (divorce rate of 3.09 percent, which is almost twice the national rate of 1.6 percent)
- Health care (divorce rate of 2.65 percent)
- Food service and preparation (divorce rate of 2.49 percent)
On a job-specific level, the three titles with the highest rates of divorce include:
- Bartender (4.34 percent divorce rate)
- Waitstaff (3.4 percent divorce rate)
- Home health aide (2.87 percent divorce rate)
On the flip side, some jobs have much lower divorce rates. The overall divorce rate for the following occupations is just 0.7 percent:
- Clergy
- Ranchers and farmers
- Physicians
The lower divorce rates for these jobs could stem from factors like religious beliefs, more “traditional” family values and financial stability.
What can readers take away from this data?
Of course, having a specific type of job will not guarantee that a marriage will last or not. However, appreciating the unique challenges of a particular job and how it might impact your personal relationships will be vital.
For instance, military jobs can mean long periods of living apart and frequent relocations. Medical work can be emotionally and physically draining. Foodservice and hospitality jobs can entail a lot of social interactions with others, lower wages and drug or alcohol exposure.
These factors can take a dramatic toll on a person’s relationships outside of work, so confronting them before marriage or when a person takes a job can be wise. It can also help people appreciate the importance of tools like prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
With this information, parties can make choices and set expectations accordingly to prevent unfortunate surprises and marital obstacles.
