What does a graduate surveyor do?
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.
Their duties involve supporting senior surveyors with research, inspections, report writing, and client communication. This role provides structured training and mentorship that helps new professionals gain a broad understanding of the industry while preparing for professional accreditation.
How much does a 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.
What industries do graduate surveyors work in?
Carrington West recruits graduate surveyors for contract and permanent roles in the property and surveying sector. |
You can use the link below to search for graduate surveying roles with leading public and private sector organisations across the UK through Carrington West's job search.