You might hear people say Quantity Surveying is a well-paid occupation, but how much do QS’s actually earn? Last year, we created this exact post, but as you can imagine, a lot of things have changed since then. Remember to follow for the 2025 update too!
In this post, we will explore the potential salary expectations at each level of Quantity Surveying, ranging from Apprentice Quantity Surveyor all the way to Commercial Manager.
Please remember that the figures quoted in this video are based on national averages in the UK. Pay can vary substantially based on several factors, with the most influential being location.
Apprentice or Trainee – £24,500
If you’re fortunate enough to secure a position with an employer who is willing to fund your education, it’s likely you’ll join as an apprentice or trainee QS. You might think this is a low salary, but unlike people who are studying full-time at university, you’ll be gaining valuable on-the-job experience while receiving a free education. We believe this is an outstanding opportunity for anyone aiming to get their career started in quantity surveying.
Assistant or Graduate Quantity Surveyor – £32,500
This role is for people who’ve just completed a degree in quantity surveying or received a promotion from trainee/apprentice QS. At this level, you’ll most likely start to obtain responsibility for managing your own projects or work packages. You will have a mentor or line manager who will be either a QS or a senior QS, and will ensure you’re on the right track to progress into an experienced quantity surveyor.
Quantity Surveyor – £51,000
You’ve made it: a fully qualified, experienced, all-singing, all-dancing quantity surveyor. And better yet, you still have more room to progress. At this stage, you’ll likely have at least five to ten years of experience in the industry. Here, you can enjoy the fruits of your hard work or even embark on obtaining chartership.
Senior Quantity Surveyor – £65,000
At this stage, you’ll be a foundation of knowledge in the world of quantity surveying. Aspiring QS’s will travel far and wide across the lands to hear your wisdom. Okay, maybe they won’t travel across lands, but you’ll certainly be able to give solid commercial advice and use your experience to mentor junior surveyors. At this stage, you may opt to be a freelance senior Q. As a freelance senior, you can look to charge a day rate of around £500.
Managing Quantity Surveyor – £78,600
If you think you’ve got the leadership skills to manage a team of quantity surveyors, this will be the role for you. You don’t necessarily need any more experience than a senior QS to reach this level; however, you will need to know how to successfully manage people, delegate work, and create management processes to ensure a streamlined commercial process.
And finally,
Commercial Manager – £88,000
The salary expectations for commercial managers can vary greatly depending on the level of responsibility held. At this level, you’ll be responsible for the commercial aspects of a business sector. This can be anything from a large framework to multiple construction projects. You’ll need to ensure that the correct people, procedures, and contracts are in place to ensure the business is profitable and there’s a sufficient level of work in the pipeline to ensure future commercial success. You’ll need to have good risk management and financial reporting abilities.
