DALLAS -- Americans may trust their pastors almost as much as they trust their nurses.

That’s according to a current USA Today/Gallup Poll. For the sixth year in a row, nursing topped the list as the most ethical occupation in America, according to a survey of public perceptions of honesty and ethical standards for 23 occupations.

More than 84 percent of Americans said ethical standards for nurses are “very high” or “high.”

Clergy placed seventh on the list for combined scores of “very high” and “high,” with a total of 58 percent. When evaluated only by the “very high” ratings, they tied for third place, along with veterinarians and medical doctors, at 16%. Pharmacists came in second, with 17 percent of them receiving the “very high” rating. Only 3 percent of Americans said clergy have “very low” ethical standards.

Lawyers were disparaged in the poll. Their “very high” or “high” rating reached only 18%. HMO managers received a low 11% trust rating.

Car salesmen came in last on the list, with 55 percent of Americans saying they have low or very low ethics. No other profession came close to that level of skepticism.

Researchers also pointed out that Americans of different political persuasions evaluated many professions quite differently for honesty. This was especially true for clergy.

“Republicans have a more favorable view than Democrats of clergy and policemen,” Lydia Saad wrote in the Gallup News Service report. “Democrats are more positive than Republicans about the ethics of college teachers, psychiatrists, journalists, lawyers and senators.”

Results were based on telephone interviews with 1,009 adults. The interviews were conducted Dec. 8-10.