Social and religious professionals

How to become a sociologist, anthropologist or related professional

Official title: Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals

Also called: Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Criminologist, Ethnologist, Geographer, Sociologist

Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals investigate and describe the structure, origin and evolution of societies and the interdependence between environmental conditions and human activities. They provide advice on the practical application of their findings in the formulation of economic and social policies.

Main tasks

Conducting research on the origin, development, structure, social patterns, organizations and interrelationships of human society
Tracing the origin and evolution of humanity through the study of changing characteristics and cultural and social institutions
Tracing the development of humanity through the material remains of its past, such as dwellings, temples, tools, pottery, coins, weapons or sculpture
Studying physical and climatic aspects of areas and regions, and correlating these findings with economic, social and cultural activities
Developing theories, models and methods to interpret and describe social phenomena
Evaluating the outcome of political decisions concerning social policy
Analysing and evaluating social data
Advising on the practical application of findings in the formulation of economic and social policies for population groups and regions, and for the development of markets
Preparing scholarly papers and reports

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 could change some tasks in this job, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a sociologist, anthropologist or related professional?

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

Will AI change the work of a sociologist, anthropologist or related professional?

Generative AI could change some tasks in this job, 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