Most people describe themselves as belonging to the middle class, but in reality, only about 30% of Americans are part of the middle class. Describe the typical occupations, lifestyles, and earnings of people from each of the major social classes of the United States. What do sociologists consider to be problematic about these measures?

Social stratification in the United States includes six main classes, including the upper class, the upper-middle class, the middle class, the working class, the working poor, and the underclass. A good answer will describe each class. The upper class makes up just 1% of the U.S. population, but enjoys more wealth than the other 99% combined. Members of the upper class make around $2 million a year and have often inherited large family fortunes, which are sometimes referred to as "old money." They are highly educated and often attend prestigious, private schools and universities. A typical member of the upper-middle class is well educated, highly skilled, and often makes around $150,000 a year. The middle class is comprised mainly of skilled white collar workers who are employed in technical and lower-management jobs and who make around $70,000 a year. Members of the working class typically have a high school education and work in blue collar or service industry jobs earning around $40,000 a year. The working poor are made up of poorly educated, low-skill workers who make around $25,000 a year, suffer frequent unemployment and underemployment, and often need welfare to survive. The underclass is the most disadvantaged class, generally earning $15,000 or less per year, counting on charity or welfare, and often suffering bouts of homelessness. This class is most concentrated in inner cities, although numbers in the suburbs are growing.
The complexity of the variables associated with socioeconomic status makes the categories problematic. People can have very high levels of education with little to no income. In addition, status inconsistency exists, as the book indicates in the case of Mother Teresa. She lived in poverty, as avowed through her religious order, but was one of the most admired and respected people in the world during the twentieth century.