Chinese-American professionals in the U.S. legal and medical fields earn as much as 44 percent less than their white counterparts, researchers say.

One of the most highly educated groups in the United States, Chinese-Americans are confronted by a "glass ceiling," unable to realize full occupational stature and success to match their efforts, researchers at the University of Maryland said.

"Contrary to popular beliefs, Chinese Americans often face extra barriers to economic success, despite their educational achievements," principal investigator Larry H. Shinagawa, who directs the university's Asian American Studies Program, said in a statement.

"Time and hard work simply haven't been enough for Chinese-Americans to fully enter into mainstream social and professional circles."

Shinagawa also said the Chinese-American community is split nearly 50-50 between poorly educated recent immigrants from China and a more settled, acculturated, educated and prosperous group of older immigrants and second-generation Americans.

Chinese-Americans represent the fastest-growing immigrant group in the nation -- up 30 percent between 2000 and 2006, the study said.

The full text is available online at http://www.aast.umd.edu/ocaportrait.html.