Social and religious professionals

How to become a religious professional

Official title: Religious professionals

Also called: Bonze, Imam, Minister of religion, Poojari, Priest, Rabbi

Religious professionals function as perpetuators of sacred traditions, practices and beliefs. They conduct religious services, celebrate or administer the rites of a religious faith or denomination, provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion.

Main tasks

Perpetuating sacred traditions, practices and beliefs
Conducting religious services, rites and ceremonies
Undertaking various administrative and social duties, including participating in committees and meetings of religious organizations
Providing spiritual and moral guidance in accordance with the religion professed
Propagating religious doctrines in own country or abroad
Preparing and presenting religious sermons
Developing and directing study courses and religious education programmes
Counselling individuals regarding interpersonal, health, financial and religious problems
Scheduling and participating in special events such as camps, conferences, seminars and retreats

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: HK$48,000 a month
About 1,542,900 people in 2025, and about 1,639,100 projected by 2028. (+6.2%)
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a religious professional?

Usually. 85% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a religious professional?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026