Alpharetta’s residents fill a wide range of occupations, with a corresponding vast spectrum of income levels. A recent analysis of Census data showed which of the highest paying occupations across the nation are the most likely to go through a divorce.
As you know, when people with high incomes and significant assets divorce, there are often difficult property division issues to settle involving 401(k)s, real estate holdings, stocks, retirement plans, inheritances and more.
A recent news article states that Census data indicates that among high-paying occupations, physicians have the highest divorce rate: 22 percent.
The highest overall divorce rate belongs to a low-paying occupation, however: bartender. The people who pour drinks have an astounding 52 percent divorce rate.
The statistician who analyzed the 2015 American Community Survey data said there’s a link between salary levels and divorce rates. While bartenders are in the unenviable top spot atop the divorce rates, the occupations with low rates are generally well-paying, such as those in architecture, engineering and accounting (rates as low as 17 percent).
The statistician did not hazard a guess why high-paying occupations tend to have low divorce rates, but some experts believe that financial instability can often be a primary cause of marital instability.
Among the high-paying occupations, here are the top divorce rates:
- Doctors: 21.8 percent
- Directors of religious activities and education: 21.3 percent
- Chemical engineers: 21.1 percent
- Optometrists: 20.8 percent
- Physical therapists: 20.7 percent
- Software developers: 20.3 percent
- Clergy: 19.8 percent
- Scientists (medical/life): 19.6 percent
- Scientists (physical): 18.9 percent
- Actuaries: 17 percent
Of course, statistics paint very broad pictures of who does and does not get divorced. Anyone in any profession or line of work can find themselves facing the end of their marriage.
You can contact our office and speak with a family law attorney experienced in complex property division disputes.
