But they still make less than white employees, on average, and have seen only small hiring increases in some of the most prestigious occupations.
Mary and her wealthy London friends do not consider being a clergyman to be a sufficiently prestigious and stylish occupation.
For example, they regard public service as a more prestigious (though poor-paying) occupation than a successful business career.
The problem is this: how to make teaching a more prestigious occupation, one that draws the best and the brightest.
The Harris poll recently reported that members of the clergy have the most prestigious occupations, along with doctors and scientists.
As for the lower middle class, other less prestigious occupations, many sales positions, entry-level management, secretaries, etc., would be included.
Some of the most prestigious occupations are physicians and surgeons, lawyers, chemical and biomedical engineers, and communications analysts.
Income remains one of the main indicators of class, as it commonly reflects high educational attainment as well as a prestigious occupation.
Thus, these individuals will continue on a track that places these them into specialized and comparatively highly prestigious occupations.
It's a less prestigious occupation than a specialist such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter.