Find out what a QS earns at your experience level, sector, and location. See monthly take-home after tax and NI. 2025/26 rates.
| Level | Experience | Salary Range | London Premium | With RICS MRICS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate QS | 0–1 years | £22,000–£28,000 | £26,000–£34,000 | +£2,000–£5,000 |
| Junior QS | 2–4 years | £28,000–£38,000 | £33,000–£46,000 | +£3,000–£8,000 |
| Quantity Surveyor | 5–9 years | £38,000–£55,000 | £46,000–£66,000 | +£5,000–£10,000 |
| Senior QS | 10+ years | £50,000–£70,000 | £60,000–£84,000 | +£5,000–£12,000 |
| Principal / Associate | Chartered | £65,000–£90,000 | £78,000–£110,000 | +£8,000–£15,000 |
| Director / Head of QS | Senior Leader | £80,000–£130,000+ | £95,000–£160,000+ | Required / Expected |
The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) is the RICS assessment pathway to full chartered membership (MRICS). Key steps:
| Sector | Typical Pay | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Contractor | Highest | Bonus potential, fast-paced, project variety | Long hours, site-based, commercial pressure |
| Consultant / PQS | Mid-High | Professional environment, RICS-focused, broad experience | Fee earning targets, client management |
| Client-Side / Developer | Mid-High | Strategic role, influence, fewer sites | Smaller teams, less specialist growth |
| Public Sector | Mid-Low | Pension, job security, regular hours | Lower pay, slower progression |
| Gross Salary | Income Tax | NI (Employee) | Monthly Take-Home | Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £2,486 | £1,002 | £1,793 | £21,512 |
| £33,000 | £4,086 | £1,634 | £2,274 | £27,280 |
| £45,000 | £6,486 | £2,634 | £2,990 | £35,880 |
| £55,000 | £9,432 | £2,974 | £3,550 | £42,594 |
| £70,000 | £15,432 | £3,274 | £4,275 | £51,294 |
| £90,000 | £23,432 | £3,674 | £5,241 | £62,894 |
Based on 2025/26 tax rates. Standard Personal Allowance £12,570. Employee NI: 8% (£12,570–£50,270), 2% above. No other income assumed.
Quantity Surveyor salaries in the UK vary depending on experience, location, qualifications, and the specific employer. This calculator uses current 2025/26 HMRC tax bands and National Insurance rates to estimate your actual take-home pay after all statutory deductions.
Your gross salary is reduced by income tax (20% basic rate on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, 40% higher rate above that) and National Insurance contributions (8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above). Pension contributions further reduce your taxable income if paid via salary sacrifice.
The personal allowance remains frozen at £12,570, meaning no tax is due on the first £12,570 of annual earnings. The basic rate band extends to £50,270, and the higher rate band covers income from £50,271 to £125,140. Above £100,000, the personal allowance tapers by £1 for every £2 earned, creating an effective 60% marginal rate between £100,000 and £125,140.
A quantity surveyor earning £45,000 per year would pay £6,486 in income tax and £2,594 in National Insurance, resulting in take-home pay of approximately £35,920 per year or £2,993 per month. With a 5% pension contribution via salary sacrifice, the annual take-home drops to £34,300 but the pension pot gains £2,250 at a net cost of only £1,620.
Source: Based on official HMRC 2025/26 tax rates and thresholds. Last updated March 2026.
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.