What does a quantity surveyor do?
Quantity surveyors manage the cost of construction and infrastructure projects from initial feasibility through to final account, making sure work is delivered on budget without compromising quality or programme. Early in a project they prepare cost estimates, benchmark options and help shape the procurement strategy; once a scheme is under way they measure work, prepare bills of quantities, administer the contract, and manage valuations, variations and interim payments.
A large part of the job is contract administration under standard forms such as NEC and JCT, including negotiating with subcontractors and suppliers, assessing claims, managing risk and change, and producing regular cost reports for clients and senior management. Quantity surveyors work on both the client/consultancy side, as professional quantity surveyors advising on cost and value, and the contractor side, managing costs and cash flow on live sites – related roles, but ones that involve a different balance of negotiation, reporting and site presence.
It's a role for people who are numerate, commercially minded and comfortable balancing the interests of client, contractor and subcontractors, often under pressure from a live programme and budget.
How much does a quantity surveyor earn?
Quantity surveyor salary depends heavily on whether a QS sits on the client and consultancy side or the contractor side, on sector, and on seniority, with a typical progression from graduate through to senior, associate and commercial manager or director level. Because quantity surveying is one of the most cross-sector commercial disciplines Carrington West recruits for, the figures below are blended across our Highways and Rail salary surveys; expect the top end in highways and rail project delivery and the lower end in design consultancy.
Graduate and assistant quantity surveyors earn £27,500 to £42,000 per year, averaging £36,000, with contract rates of £300 to £360 a day inside IR35 and £250 to £320 outside IR35.
Quantity surveyors earn £40,000 to £60,000 per year, averaging £50,000, with contract rates of £375 to £450 a day inside IR35 and £300 to £400 outside IR35.
Senior quantity surveyors earn £55,000 to £80,000 per year, averaging £68,000, with contract rates of £425 to £550 a day inside IR35 and £400 to £475 outside IR35.
Managing or associate quantity surveyors earn £60,000 to £90,000 per year, averaging £75,000, with contract rates of £500 to £600 a day inside IR35 and £450 to £550 outside IR35.
Commercial managers earn £65,000 to £100,000 per year, averaging £82,000, with contract rates of £550 to £700 a day inside IR35 and £500 to £650 outside IR35.
Commercial directors earn £100,000 to £170,000 per year, averaging £135,000, typically on a permanent rather than contract basis.
You can find more information in our 2026 salary surveys, available via the button below.
What industries do quantity surveyors work in?
Carrington West recruits civil engineers for contract and permanent roles in highways and infrastructure (both public and private sector) and rail project delivery. |
You can use the button below to search for quantity surveying roles with leading private and public sector organisations all over the UK through Carrington West's job search.