The likelihood of divorce in different professions

The California marriages of scientists, actuaries, physicians and software developers may be less vulnerable to divorce than those of flight attendants, bartenders and casino workers. A study found that people who work in the fields of math and science have lower-than-average divorce rates while the rates of those who work in transportation or whose work involves night life are higher than average. Professions that are more popular in rural areas, including military careers, forestry, fishing and farming, also had a lower-than-average divorce rate.

The study was based on data from the 2015 American Community Survey. In that year, the average divorce rate was around 35 percent, but it was higher than 50 percent for gaming managers and bartenders. For actuaries, it was less than 20 percent. Clergy had a divorce rate of around 20 percent, and the divorce rate for surgeons and physicians was just over 20 percent.

A higher income and more stable hours may be one reason for lower divorce rates in some professions. The study also found that the likelihood of a child’s illness was correlated to income and divorce rate.

Issues such as these may also factor into how a divorce progresses. If the couple has few assets and no children, the divorce may be less complex than one in which the couple has been married for a long time and has a lot of community property. How the couple decides to go about the divorce may also affect how long it takes, how expensive it is and its outcome. If the couple is able to negotiate a solution, they can remain more in control in the process and may be happier with the outcome. If they are unable to do this, the case may have to go to litigation where a judge will decide.