Quantity Surveyor Pay 2026 — Graduate to Commercial Manager
QS salaries at every stage in 2026, the MRICS chartership premium, and what each level takes home after tax.
Quantity surveying remains one of construction's most reliable career paths, with a persistent skills shortage supporting pay. The UK average is around £45,000; graduates start at £25,000–£30,000, chartered QSs (MRICS) earn £50,000–£65,000, and commercial managers £70,000–£85,000+. London and major infrastructure projects pay 10–20% more.
| Level | Typical salary | Take-home / year | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate / assistant QS | £27,000 | £22,960 | £1,913 |
| QS (average) | £45,000 | £35,920 | £2,993 |
| Senior QS (MRICS) | £58,000 | £44,197 | £3,683 |
| Managing / principal QS | £68,000 | £49,997 | £4,166 |
| Commercial manager | £80,000 | £56,957 | £4,746 |
Take-home figures use 2026/27 England/Wales/NI rates (Income Tax + employee NI only, standard tax code, no pension or student loan). Model your exact situation with our Take-Home Pay Calculator.
Freelance QS day rates
Freelance quantity surveyors command £300–£500/day, and demand is strong on major projects. Whether freelancing beats employment depends heavily on IR35 status and utilisation — a £400/day inside-IR35 role via an umbrella often nets less than a £65,000 staff job with pension and car allowance. Compare with our IR35 Calculator.
Check your own numbers
Frequently asked questions
The UK average is around £45,000 — graduates start near £27,000, chartered senior QSs earn £50,000–£65,000, and commercial managers £70,000–£85,000+.
Typically £8,000–£12,000 and access to senior grades — it's the single biggest pay lever in the profession.
£300–£500/day is common, but inside-IR35 umbrella deductions and unpaid gaps can leave you behind a good staff package — always model both.