A quantity surveyor is a member of the construction industry who is in charge of estimating the price of a project, drawing up a cost-effective budget and minimising the need to take any financial risks. A wide range of construction projects require a quantity surveyor, from residential buildings to large-scale commercial jobs, so it’s a role that never grows boring.
Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Quantity Surveyors have both been in high demand over the past few years, so it’s certainly a role to consider if you have prior experience in the construction industry or are wondering what freelance or management roles are out there. If you’re considering a quantity surveyor career then you’re likely to have questions about the average salary for this type of position, which we will go into more detail in below.
Trainee Quantity Surveyor Salary
Most quantity surveyors begin in a trainee or graduate position, whether this is through employment or a work placement.
The average starting salary for a Trainee Quantity Surveyor is between £18,000 and £25,000 annually, depending on how experienced you are. For example, if this is your first role after you have completed a degree or qualification then you’ll probably earn closer to the minimum average salary, whereas if you have some work experience and have been involved in construction projects before, you may be given more responsibility and a higher salary.
As a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, your main role will be to assist the other quantity surveyors involved in the project with their day-to-day tasks and run any errands that are needed. You may not have a lot of responsibility in the role, but you will be involved with all of the financial management and reporting of the project and get a good idea of every aspect of a career in quantity surveying.
Assistant Quantity Surveyor Salary
An Assistant Quantity Surveyor position is the next rung on the ladder towards becoming a fully-fledged Quantity Surveyor. Many people work to obtain a chartered status at this level, which often increases your salary as well as the opportunities available to you.
The average annual starting salary for an Assistant Quantity Surveyor is £27,500 and up to £32,000 if you are working in London. When you become a chartered Quantity Surveyor your salary will increase and, with experience, you could find yourself earning around £35,000 to £55,000 each year.
Assistant Quantity Surveyors are a vital part of large construction projects, as they assist the Senior Quantity Surveyor with their work as well as taking charge of bills, contracts and schedules. If you have experience working on construction projects you may also be trusted with additional responsibilities such as delivering progress reports and making decisions about material suppliers and subcontracting fees.
Senior Quantity Surveyor Salary
A Senior Quantity Surveyor is in charge of managing all of the costs of a construction or engineering project, from estimating the initial budget to keeping track of spending and reporting on final costs. You will be involved with every stage of the project and responsible for all financial aspects.
Senior Quantity Surveyors are very experienced members of the construction industry who often have many years of experience in management roles on a site, and have often specialised into a certain area such as commercial or residential construction. This experience means that a Senior Quantity Surveyor average salary ranges between £50,000 to over £80,000 per year, with those who have more qualifications tending to earn more.
There is a lot of responsibility involved in a Senior Quantity Surveyor role, which is why it tends to take several years and a lot of experience to work your way up to this position. Many Senior Quantity Surveyor’s employ assistants to work with them and help with the workload of larger or more complex projects, and as you will also be advising and directing other workers it is vital that you have the skill and experience necessary to lead a large team and make important decisions.
FAQs
What is the average wage for a quantity surveyor?
The average Quantity Surveyor salary in the UK is currently £34,300, with an average minimum of £23,000 a year and an average maximum of £49,000. Gaining qualifications, a chartered status, or having work experience can all affect your salary as a Quantity Surveyor, however. (Souce: Pay Scale)
Are Quantity Surveyors in demand in the UK?
There has been an increase in demand for Quantity Surveyors in the last few years, making it a very desirable career option with a lot of potential opportunities. There are several reasons why demand is thought to have increased, such as changes with foreign workers in the construction industry, an ageing demographic of construction workers and shorter contractor retention times.
How long does it take to become a Quantity Surveyor?
The time it will take you to become a Quantity Surveyor depends on the route you go down to gain the necessary experience and qualifications. If you decide to complete a full-time degree then it will take around 3-4 years to gain an appropriate level of qualification to start your career, or 5-6 years if you complete a degree part-time.
It is also possible to take NVQ qualifications that will lead you towards becoming a Quantity Surveyor, or you can just gain enough work experience that allows you to work your way up. These routes have less specific timeframes, but are likely to take a little longer.
Summary
Many people are surprised at the high salary potential of a Quantity Surveyor, and it is certainly a job that pays well after you have been in the industry for a while. Bonuses are also common in quantity surveying roles when a project is completed on schedule or other targets are met, which is something else to consider when thinking about how much money you might earn in a surveyor role.
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