Quantity Surveyors: Salary Expectations
With the Cost Consultancy market in overdrive it’s only natural that even the most content professionals are curious to know what the market is paying - especially given that the most recent batch of appraisals and salary reviews have left many people scratching their heads.
Given that salary expectations are a highly sensitive topic, I have shied away from getting involved with anything too punchy so far...
That said, it's time to bite the bullet.
The salary bands laid out below are my own personal opinion - they are not backed up by official salary surveys, government data, graphs or pie charts.
It is my job to know what’s going on in the market and I’ve based these bandings upon first-hand conversations with the job seekers and employers I speak to on a daily basis.
| Graduate QS | 0 to 6 months exp | £25 - £28k |
| Assistant QS | 1 to 2 years exp | £28 - £32k |
| Intermediate QS | 3 to 4 years exp, not MRICS | £32 - £35k |
| Project QS | 4 to 5 years exp, not MRICS | £35 - £45k |
| MRICS Project QS | 2 to 3 years exp | £40 - £45k |
| MRICS Project QS | 3 to 5 years exp | £45 - 55k |
| MRICS Senior QS | 5+ years exp | £55 - £65k |
| MRICS Associate QS | £65 - £90k | |
| Partner | Salaries start at £80k | |
*Brackets are inclusive of basic salary and car allowance, further benefits such as bonuses, healthcare, pension and professional subscriptions should be added on top.
**Based on the career progression of a typical PQS in London, regional salaries are typically 10-20% less
***Needless to say, salary bandings should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially in such a rapidly evolving market.
****There are always exceptions to every rule.
Next week’s post will outline what steps you can take to outperform your current job title and ultimately drive yourself towards performing at the top end of the pay scale in every stage of your career.
