It pays to be pretty

A new study finds good-looking workers make $230,000 more during their career than their unattractive counterparts. Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor at the University of Texas and the author of "Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful," discusses the findings with msnbc 's Chris Jansing.

Monashee Frantz / Getty Images stock

By Allison Linn

The Economist recently took a look at three books dealing with a topic that is both uncomfortable and endlessly fascinating:  Whether attractiveness helps you get ahead in life.

The article, citing the research of experts including Daniel Hamermesh, notes that attractive people earn more than average-looking ones even in fields such as professional football.

This isn’t just pocket change, either: Over a lifetime, the article argues that an attractive worker might, on average, earn $230,000 more than a very plain worker.

Do you think attractive people make more money than less attractive ones?

Results with 69 short comments
Total of 13,461 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

83.6%
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time
11,256 votes
6.6%
No, that's just a stereotype
887 votes
9.8%
I'm really not sure
1,318 votes
Display Comments:
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Sadly looks do matter, and so does height most of the time.

  • 9 votes
#1
 - Phil Johnson
 - 8:17 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

It's in our genes. Most perfect specimen might procreate with us. It's unfortunate the animal part of our brain so focused on visual stimul

  • 3 votes
#2
 - maxwello
 - 8:38 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Saw it happen. A complete moron was hired to work with me. Model like beuaty - horribly stupid.

  • 5 votes
#3
 - MiaBia
 - 8:49 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Can't believe this is even considered debatable. I also think we subconsciously attribute higher moral character to better looking people.

  • 2 votes
#4
 - Daisy in St. Louis
 - 8:51 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
No, that's just a stereotype

Nonsense! I'm super handsome and I haven't had a raise in over a year. *&$^% economy!

  • 9 votes
#5
 - Tresspiffy
 - 8:58 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Giver two people with similar skills, most people rather work with someone attractive. Why not?

  • 2 votes
#6
 - davepgh
 - 8:59 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Just look at the "missing white blonde in Aruba" syndrome for validation.

  • 3 votes
#7
 - Corpscopp
 - 9:42 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Not just pretty, but blonde and Connecticut waspy looking. "Well-bred" as my rich former boss said. Hired the Irish girls for ad-min work

  • 2 votes
#8
 - mary0816b
 - 10:04 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

Piss Poor question, unless of course you are trying to say a particular profession has a strong bias in later articles. Yes or No, period.

    #9
     - Shaun-3938815
     - 10:16 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    I'm really not sure

    If true then I must be better looking than I thought.

    • 3 votes
    #10
     - Bertfw
     - 10:25 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    Depends on the industry, sales, marketing and retail absolutely; engineering and technical not so much.

    • 4 votes
    #11
     - Rocketman-1327547
     - 10:31 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    Yes, and taller ones, too.

    • 5 votes
    #12
     - D. McMahon
     - 10:36 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    Most of the time it's not so much looks or stature that matters, it's self-confidence that makes the most difference.

    • 2 votes
    #13
     - randy40204
     - 11:12 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    Of course pretty people make more money. To believe different is self delusion.

    • 3 votes
    #14
     - Jake the Duck
     - 11:16 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    Not just looks must also be HWP. Heavy people looked down upon by corp. Health nuts, heavy on the nuts part.

    • 1 vote
    #15
     - topop
     - 11:18 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    yes looks. But personalty matters MORE

    • 4 votes
    #16
     - dadoftim
     - 11:26 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
    Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

    It is just human nature. We value people based on their physical attractiveness. Natural selection and all that.

      #17
       - RichardL
       - 11:30 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
      No, that's just a stereotype

      I've had some pretty unattractive bosses! Sure, sometimes "pretty" helps, but in the long run it's skill, talent, and responsibility.

      • 5 votes
      #18
       - Sherrie-299765
       - 11:31 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
      Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

      Sure. Take a look at the female news anchors. The men can be ordinary looking. But all of the new female anchors are beautiful. They were n

      • 2 votes
      #19
       - Kate-4001041
       - 11:35 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
      I'm really not sure

      I personally have never experienced it with my co-workers or myself in any of my jobs, but I don't dismiss the fact that it may happen.

        #20
         - Hot-in-Miami
         - 11:43 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
        Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

        Of course we do, and thank god for that.

        • 1 vote
        #21
         - G_Reaper
         - 11:48 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
        I'm really not sure

        Lets call it like it is, this is more of a female issue, as the image shows, because I have seen some fugly males make a damn good living.

        • 1 vote
        #22
         - Browns Backer
         - 11:57 am EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
        Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

        Absolutely! And thank god!

        • 1 vote
        #23
         - J Pru
         - 12:02 pm EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
        Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

        I hope so, its not easy being pretty!!!

          #24
           - PocketClam-20
           - 12:16 pm EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
          Yes, I see it in my profession all the time

          Looks, height & weight all matter. It's just how humans are programmed.

          • 1 vote
          #25
           - DotComCTO
           - 12:17 pm EDT on Wed Aug 31, 2011
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