In the array of statuses of every member of society it is possible to single out a number of chief (or key) statuses, those that are decisive in determining one's social positions in society as a whole and that, in substantial ways, set the characteristics of all the rest of the components of that array. These statuses, especially in present-day societies, are usually connected to economic, political, and professional activity. This article describes a study of changes in the Russian occupational structure, the relationship between education and income levels, occupational mobility, occupational retraining, and prestige ratings. Level of income is positively correlated with educational level, but as government employees, scientists have not seen a rise in prestige or income ranking. (Contains 6 tables, 1 figure and 3 notes.) [This article was translated by Kim Braithwaite.]