Perceptions of occupational prestige: Differences between African American and White college students

The present study examined perceptions of occupational prestige among university students. One hundred and twenty-four African American and 174 White students rated the prestige levels of 36 occupations evenly sampled from the six RIASEC types and three levels of prestige. Results indicated that there was a significant difference in perception of occupational prestige. African Americans reported more prestige for R, S, E, and C occupations than did Whites. For African Americans there was a positive relation between endorsement of the centrality of African American identity and prestige ratings R, A, S, and E. These results suggest that perceptions of prestige vary across and within ethnicity and also provide additional insight into how prestige might influence African American students' occupational selection.

► There was a difference in perception of prestige in occupations across ethnicity.
► African Americans perceived prestige in a manner that less matched prestige norms.
► African Americans reported more prestige for R, S, E, and C types than Whites.
► High endorsement in African American identity was related to high prestige ratings.