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EngineeringUpdated 2026-04

Quantity Surveyor Salary in South Africa (2026)

Quantity surveyors (QSs) manage the costs and contracts of construction and infrastructure projects in South Africa. They work for consulting QS firms, contractors, developers, and government departments (DPWI, provincial DPW). The profession is regulated by the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) and the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP). Registration as a Professional Quantity Surveyor (PrQS) requires a recognised degree and work experience.

R 42 000/ month median· R 504 000 / year

91% above the SA employed workforce median of R 22 000/month

R18k
entryR22k
25thR42k
medianR75k
75thR100k
senior

Entry-level

R 22 000

0–3 years (candidate QS / graduate)

Mid-level

R 42 000

3–7 years (QS / senior QS)

Senior

R 75 000

8+ years (PrQS / associate / director)

Salary by experience

Gross monthly, before tax

Each bar shows the typical range; the dark line is the median.

Entry-level0–3 years (candidate QS / graduate)
R 22 000median
R 18 000R 28 000
Mid-level3–7 years (QS / senior QS)
R 42 000median
R 32 000R 55 000
Senior8+ years (PrQS / associate / director)
R 75 000median
R 60 000R 100 000
Range MedianScale: R 18 000 – R 100 000
Sector: Consulting QS firms (Davis Langdon, AECOM QS, local practices) typically pay at or above the median. Contractor-side QSs may earn differently depending on project workload. Government QS posts follow DPSA scales, which are below market for experienced PrQSs.
Location: Gauteng and Western Cape have the most active construction markets and the highest QS salaries. Infrastructure-heavy provinces have demand for QSs on government and mining infrastructure projects.

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What affects Quantity Surveyor salary?

✓PrQS registration — significant salary uplift post-registration
✓Sector: consulting vs contracting vs government vs mining infrastructure
✓Project type: commercial, residential, infrastructure, mining
✓Specialisation: contract management, cost planning, dispute resolution

Career outlook 2026

Government infrastructure investment keeps QS demand robust. Housing backlogs and private sector commercial development continue to create work. Skilled PrQSs are a scarce resource.

How to qualify as a Quantity Surveyor

Entry requirements, study paths, professional registration, and bursaries.

Minimum entry requirement

BSc Quantity Surveying (4 years) for PrQS route; NatDip QS (3 years) for candidate QS entry

APS 26+APS 26–36 for BSc QS at WITS, UP, Nelson Mandela University, TUT, CPUT, and UNISA
Check your APS score →

Qualification paths

Degree

BSc Quantity Surveying (BSc QS)

⏱ 4 yearsAPS 26–36

Leads to SACQSP candidate QS registration and PrQS route

Diploma

National Diploma: Quantity Surveying (NatDip QS)

⏱ 3 yearsAPS 20–28

TVET / UoT route; allows candidate QS registration

SACQSP

South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession

Candidate QS to Professional Quantity Surveyor (PrQS) after 3 years' training and SACQSP assessment

Time to qualify

7–9 years from matric to PrQS registration

Study costs

R35,000–R65,000/year at universities

Bursaries available

NSFAS covers BSc QS at public universities. CIDB and DPWI offer bursaries for built environment qualifications with a service obligation.

NSFAS ↗SACQSP ↗CIDB ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does a quantity surveyor earn per month in South Africa?

A graduate/candidate QS earns R18,000–R28,000/month. A qualified QS with 3–7 years' experience earns R32,000–R55,000/month. A registered PrQS in a senior or principal role earns R60,000–R100,000/month.

What is a PrQS?

A Professional Quantity Surveyor (PrQS) is the highest registration category with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP). PrQS registration requires a SACQSP-accredited degree, 3+ years of candidate training under a PrQS, and passing SACQSP assessments.

How long does it take to become a PrQS in South Africa?

Typically 7–9 years: 3–4 years for a BSc Quantity Surveying degree, plus 3 years of candidate training under a registered PrQS, plus SACQSP assessment.

What is the difference between a quantity surveyor and a cost estimator?

A qualified QS performs the full range of services: cost planning, procurement, contract administration, and final account settlement. A cost estimator typically focuses on pre-tender cost estimation only. In South Africa, 'cost estimator' is not a regulated designation.

Data source: CareerJunction 2025/2026 Salary Survey; ASAQS; SACQSP; advertised positions · Last updated: 2026-04

Salary figures are gross monthly estimates. Individual pay varies by employer, province, experience, and negotiation.

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