What does a building surveyor do?
Building surveyors provide expert advice on the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings. They are involved in a wide range of projects including residential, commercial, and public sector assets. Key responsibilities include carrying out condition surveys, advising on refurbishment and compliance, and preparing reports for clients, contractors, and legal proceedings.
Building surveyors must be familiar with the latest building regulations, health and safety legislation, and sustainability standards. This role requires strong technical knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders across the lifecycle of a property.
How much does a building surveyor earn?
In 2025, graduate or entry-level surveyors earned an average permanent salary of around £32,500. A promotion to a standard building surveyor role will net you around £47,500 per year, ranging significantly based on experience, chartership and sector; while senior building surveyors average around £55,000 and associates typically command salaries of £70,000.
For contract and interim positions, rates vary by specialism. In housing and compliance-focused roles, Building Surveyors earned between £30 and £40 per hour, while those in commercial property consultancy earned between £350 and £400 per day.
This information is drawn from Carrington West's salary surveys, created every 6 months to provide invaluable market analysis and salary benchmarking resources to built environment professionals. View and download the full documents below.
How can a graduate get into building surveying?
Graduate surveyors are early-career professionals working toward full chartered status, typically via the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Employed across sectors such as property, infrastructure, and planning, they rotate through a variety of specialisms including valuation, agency, building surveying, and development.
What industries do building surveyors work in?
Carrington West recruits building surveyors for contract and permanent roles in the property and housing sectors. |
You can use the link below to search for building surveyor roles across all levels and seniorities with leading UK public and private sector organisations through Carrington West's job search.