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SOC 2453 Business, media and public service professionals

Quantity surveyors Salary

Median salary £51,950 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £52,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For quantity surveyors, £52,537 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +35% versus the national average. Experienced quantity surveyors (top 25%) earn over £66,500.

About this role

Quantity surveyors manage all costs relating to construction projects, from initial estimates to final accounts. They ensure projects are completed within budget, advising clients on value for money and contractual matters using NRM measurement standards.

Key responsibilities

  • Preparing cost estimates, budgets and bills of quantities
  • Managing project costs throughout the construction lifecycle
  • Preparing valuations, interim payments and final accounts
  • Advising on procurement routes and contract selection (JCT, NEC)
  • Managing contractual disputes, claims and variations

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a RICS-accredited degree in quantity surveying followed by the APC to achieve MRICS chartered status. RICS is the principal professional body.

Career outlook

Strong demand with significant skills shortages. Infrastructure investment and housing programmes sustain consistent need for qualified QS professionals.

Key skills

Cost management Contract administration Measurement (NRM) Negotiation Commercial awareness

Common industries

  • Construction consultancies
  • Contractors
  • Property development
  • Public sector
  • Infrastructure

Data coverage

SOC code 2453
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 38,000

Median Salary

£51,950

Mean Salary

£58,280

Jobs (000s)

38k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £30kP25: £41kMedian: £52kP75: £67kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£30,149

0-2 years

Mid Level

£40,833

3-7 years

Senior

£66,500

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +121% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +34.0%Real growth: -2.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 18.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£51,950

Full-time Only

£52,537

Full-time premium: +£587

Quantity surveyors salary: common questions

How much do quantity surveyors earn in the UK?
Quantity surveyors earn a median of £52,537 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £40,833 and £66,500.
Is £52,537 a good salary in the UK?
For quantity surveyors, £52,537 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +35% versus the national average. Experienced quantity surveyors (top 25%) earn over £66,500.
What is the starting salary for quantity surveyors?
Entry-level quantity surveyors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £40,833, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £30,149.
Have quantity surveyors salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2015, median quantity surveyors pay has risen from £40,534 to £52,537 — +30% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.
Is there a gender pay gap for quantity surveyors?
Male quantity surveyors earn a median £53,612 and female quantity surveyors £43,482 — a gap of +19% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).