Quantity Surveyor Salary in South Africa

If you are thinking about starting a career as a Quantity Surveyor, it is imperative to have a complete overview of Quantity Surveyor salary, roles and responsibilities, and so on. I have had a cast experience in this field and am about to share my own experience with you all.

Organization Name:	Quantity Surveyor
Monthly Salary Range:	R25000 – R44000
Average Monthly Salary:	R29313
Organization Description:	Quantity surveyors are managers/consultants who are responsible for managing the overall costs of a huge project. These costs include labor costs, material costs, and overheads.
Minimum Qualification:	A three-year degree course in BSc Quantity Surveying.

I would suggest that you read the following complete article so that you can have a complete image of what to expect from this profession. So, with that being said, let’s get down to details, shall we?

Overview of Quantity Surveyor Salary

Recent survey data shows the base monthly pay for many quantity surveyors clusters around R 25,980 per month. In some cases, mid‑level QS professionals earn slightly less (about R 25,113/month). In firms or projects with higher budgets or more responsibility, QS earnings can be significantly above average — some listings report monthly pay around R 34,200+. In major cities like Johannesburg a QS may reportedly earn around R 39,500/month.

Thus, a realistic working range for entry‑ to mid‑level Quantity Surveyors tends to be in the ballpark of R 25,000 – R 35,000/month, depending on the project, employer, and region.

Salary Structure by Experience / Seniority

Experience / Level	Approximate Monthly Salary (ZAR)
Entry / Early‑career QS	~ R 25,000 – R 28,000
Mid‑level QS (some experience)	~ R 28,000 – R 34,000
Senior / Well‑experienced QS or QS at large firms	~ R 35,000 – R 44,000+

If you join large projects, act as a senior QS, or manage bigger responsibilities, pay tends to be at the higher end.

What Affects a Quantity Surveyor’s Salary

• Project type and scale: Large construction, infrastructure or industrial projects tend to pay more than small or residential developments.
• Employer type and company size: Established construction companies or large consultancies usually offer higher pay.
• Location / City: Urban areas or major cities often have higher demand and pay than rural or small towns.
• Experience and seniority: More years on the job and greater expertise — such as cost management, project oversight — increase earning potential.
• Additional duties / specialization: QSs who handle larger budgets, manage teams, or provide consultancy services often earn more.

What Quantity Surveyors Do (Responsibilities)

Provide maintenance cost advice for completed projects and estimate lifecycle costs for infrastructure.

Estimate project costs: materials, labour, overheads, contingency, and provide budget forecasts.

Prepare and manage project budgets and cost plans; monitor spending during construction to avoid overruns.

Provide cost‑saving recommendations and value‑engineering advice to contractors or developers to improve profitability.

Oversee procurement, evaluate supplier quotes, and ensure materials and labour align with budgets and quality standards.

Monitor project progress, track invoices and payments, and prepare financial reports.

Responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor

1. Estimating Project Costs

It is the utmost responsibility of a quantity surveyor to estimate the overall costs of a project by performing a detailed analysis of every aspect. After that, they write up reports on how to cut back on those costs without compromising quality. In this way, they manage the entire cost flow of the projects and also advise on techniques on how to manage future project costs.

2. Manage Budgets

Of course, when the quantity surveyors perform their analysis on the prospective costs of the materials, labor, and overheads, they are in a better condition to manage the budgets. Hence, it is the Quantity Surveyor of the company who helps build the project’s budgets by keeping a lot of factors, estimates, and judgments in perspective.

3. Advice on Maintenance Costs

Quantity Surveyors are also responsible for advising on the maintenance cost of completed projects and not just the work-in-progress projects. They keep the maintenance of their completed projects in check and then advise on how to maintain the condition of the site while also spending the least on it.

Are quantity surveyors paid well?

Yes, quantity surveyors are paid exceptionally well in South Africa. You won’t believe the kind of bonuses and commissions that they receive per project.

Is Quantity Surveying a rewarding career?

Yes, quantity surveying is an exceptionally rewarding career in the present times. In fact, the scope of this career is increasing in South Africa day by day. The salary packages are also quite charming.

So, I would say that the quantity surveyors are paid exceptionally well in South Africa. It is a highly rewarding career that will eventually pave a solid foundation for you in the near future. The salary is also quite charming and has a great scope of increase if you keep working on your skills to improve your reputation as the best Quantity Surveyor.