Occupational Mobility in the United States: A Point Estimate and Trend Comparison

Abstract

Analysis of data from a national sample survey conducted in 1957 and comparisons of these data with the findings of earlier national sample studies suggest that: (1) the current rate of occupational mobility in the United States includes a considerable amount of circulation not attributable to structural conditions, making the mobility rate closer to that of a system of full equality of opportunity than to a system of maximum stability; (2) the rate of occupational movement has increased somewhat (or, conservatively, not decreased) since the end of World War 11.