This paper analyzes several hypotheses in Thomas Højrup’s life mode analysis. First, we examine if the different life modes can be traced empirically in the Danish population. Second, we analyze trends in the quantitative size of the different life modes in the period 1981-2005. Third, we test Højrup’s claim that individuals can belong to only one life mode. We find the following empirical results: (1) we identify a wage-earner and career-oriented life mode; (2) the wage-earner life mode has become less prevalent in the period 1981-2005, while the career-oriented life mode has become more prevalent; (3) there have been only minor changes in life mode orientations within different occupational groupings over time; and (4) individuals can belong to both life mode orientations at the same time.