- Salary statistics
- Social anthropologist salary
Social anthropologist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
41 500 - 52 700 SEK / month
Women earn 96% of what men do.
Administration, ekonomi
Related tools
Salary progression Social anthropologist
What does an anthropologist do? – Job tasks and work environment
An anthropologist analyzes and interprets social patterns, norms, and cultural expressions within different societies. Job responsibilities often include field studies, interviews, and participant observations to understand people's everyday lives and relationships. Anthropologists can work on research projects, government agencies, international organizations, or with investigations related to integration, migration, and development issues. The work environment varies from university settings and offices to fieldwork in both Swedish and international contexts.
Salary development over time
The salary of an anthropologist has developed steadily over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, rising to 46 000 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary increased to 46 700 SEK, which represents an approximately 7% increase over three years. This positive trend can be linked to increased demand for anthropological expertise in urban planning, integration, and globalization. Higher education levels and more qualified assignments in both public and private sectors have also contributed to salary growth. It is worth noting that the salary level is relatively high for the profession, despite significant competition for positions.
Anthropologist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,100 SEK/month (men), 42,000 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (men), 50,700 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage (average): 277 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 96% of what men do (men: 47 500 SEK, women: 45 900 SEK)
- Regional differences: Slight variation between urban and rural areas, higher salaries in larger university cities
Education and qualifications
To work as an anthropologist, a university degree in anthropology is usually required, often at the bachelor’s or master’s level. The education combines theoretical studies with methodological courses in qualitative research and fieldwork. An in-depth understanding of cultural theory, social analysis, and ethics is central. Internships or exchange studies can provide valuable experience and enhance employment prospects within the field.
- Bachelor’s program in anthropology: 3 years
- Master’s program in anthropology: 2 years
- Method courses and fieldwork: Included as mandatory components
- Internships or exchange studies: Meritorious
- Prerequisites: General university eligibility
Many anthropologists work interdisciplinary and often collaborate with sociologists, political scientists, and economists. This opens doors to projects ranging from development cooperation to market analysis and cultural heritage management.
Common benefits and compensations
Anthropologists are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, opportunities for remote work, and professional development through courses and conferences. Business trips, especially for international assignments, are common. In the public sector, additional benefits such as wellness allowances, extra vacation days, and pension contributions may be included in employment terms.
Competition and challenges
The job market for anthropologists is competitive, with more qualified individuals than available positions in academia and research. Many seek to move into related areas such as investigations, policy development, or consulting. A challenge is to highlight the societal value of anthropological knowledge outside universities. The ability to communicate results and adapt to different work environments is crucial. Digitalization and changing societal needs may also influence the profession in the future.
Tips for aspiring anthropologists
To succeed as an anthropologist, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with curiosity and openness to different cultures. Developing strong qualitative research skills and writing reports in both Swedish and English increases employability. Flexibility and teamwork skills are valuable, especially when working in new environments or interdisciplinary teams. Active networking with both academic and practical actors can open unexpected career paths. Keeping up to date with societal trends and policy issues is also important. Specializing in areas such as migration, sustainable development, or digital cultures can be advantageous for standing out.
Key facts about the anthropologist profession
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 96% of men's salaries
- Education level: Bachelor’s or master’s in anthropology
- Job market: 758 available jobs within the profession
- Work environment: Varies between fieldwork, offices, and research
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, many anthropologists establish themselves as researchers, investigators, or project managers within government agencies, international organizations, or non-profit organizations. Some pursue doctoral studies or specialize in areas such as migration, sustainable development, or cultural heritage. The outlook indicates that demand for anthropological expertise remains stable, with 758 available jobs within the profession according to the Swedish Public Employment Service. Skills in digital methods and knowledge of globalization are expected to become increasingly important, offering good future prospects for those willing to broaden their work field.
Frequently asked questions about anthropologists
- What is the average salary of an anthropologist?
- The average salary for an anthropologist is 46 700 SEK per month. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn 96% of what men do within the profession. - What education is required to become an anthropologist?
- A bachelor’s degree (3 years) or master’s degree (an additional 2 years) in anthropology is usually required. - What is the job market like for anthropologists?
- The job market is competitive, but there are 758 available jobs within the profession according to current statistics. - What tasks does an anthropologist perform?
- Tasks include field studies, analysis, report writing, and participation in interdisciplinary projects. - Where can anthropologists work?
- They can work within universities, government agencies, international organizations, as well as in private and non-profit sectors. - How wide is the salary range within the profession?
- The lowest salary is 41,100 SEK and the highest is 52,100 SEK per month, depending on sector and experience.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39100 kr | 39200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 103% | 46700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48200 kr | 48200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 46600 kr | 46700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 46000 kr | 46100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 50900 kr | 50900 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47500 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 47200 kr | 47300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 45800 kr | 45900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Social anthropologist has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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