Quantity Surveyor Jobs: Salary, Skills & Top Employers Hiring Now

According to Indeed Ireland, the average Quantity Surveyor earns €66,937 per year in Ireland. That figure is based on over 2,000 salary reports updated in May 2026. Furthermore, Ireland is currently facing a significant shortage of QS professionals. Housing delivery targets, data centre expansion, and large infrastructure projects are all competing for the same limited pool of talent. As a result, qualified quantity surveyors are in a strong negotiating position — and salaries are rising steadily to reflect that.

What Does a Quantity Surveyor Do?

Cost management, contract administration, and commercial risk — the QS is the financial backbone of any construction project

The core role explained

A quantity surveyor manages the financial and contractual aspects of a construction project. In other words, they ensure the project is delivered within budget and that all commercial risks are properly identified and managed. Their work starts at the pre-construction phase. For example, they prepare cost estimates, tender documents, and bills of quantities before a single brick is laid. Moreover, they continue throughout the build, tracking costs and valuations on a monthly basis.

Main tasks on a day-to-day basis

On a typical project, a QS is responsible for a wide range of tasks. These include preparing and submitting payment applications, assessing and agreeing subcontractor accounts, managing variations and change orders, and negotiating final accounts at project completion. Additionally, they advise the project team on contract conditions — most commonly NEC or RIAI forms of contract in Ireland. Furthermore, they often prepare cash flow forecasts and cost reports for the client or main contractor’s senior management team.

Client-side vs. contractor-side QS

There are two distinct sides to quantity surveying in Ireland. On the contractor side, a QS works for the main or specialist contractor. Their priority is maximising recovery for the contractor — managing costs tightly and submitting strong valuations. On the client side, a QS works for the project owner or a cost consultancy. Their role is to protect the client’s budget and certify that payments to the contractor are fair and accurate. Both routes offer strong careers. However, the skills and mind-set required are somewhat different, so it is worth deciding early which direction suits you better.

• Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland — Jobs Board — Official SCSI jobs board listing QS vacancies from verified employers across Ireland

Skills & Qualifications Employers Want

From RICS accreditation to CostX proficiency — knowing what employers are looking for before you apply makes a significant difference

Academic qualifications

Most QS roles in Ireland require a Level 7 or Level 8 degree in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline such as Construction Economics. Universities including TU Dublin, University College Dublin, and Limerick Institute of Technology offer well-regarded programmes. For graduates, a degree accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is strongly preferred. Moreover, accreditation is a prerequisite for those wishing to pursue Chartered status (MRICS or MSCSI) later in their career.

Professional chartership: RICS and SCSI

Chartered Membership of the RICS or SCSI is increasingly expected for senior QS roles in Ireland. Consequently, most graduates working in the sector work towards their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) within two to three years of graduating. Achieving MRICS or MSCSI status significantly increases earning potential. Furthermore, it opens doors to more senior roles, client-side positions, and international opportunities — Irish-trained chartered surveyors are highly regarded in the UK, Australia, and the Middle East.

Technical and software skills

Beyond qualifications, employers also look for strong technical and software skills. Proficiency in CostX or Causeway Estimating is widely required for measurement and estimating work. Additionally, strong Excel skills are essential for cost reporting and cash flow modelling. Knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 and RIAI contract forms is important for contract administration roles. In recent years, BIM (Building Information Modelling) awareness has also become increasingly relevant. Therefore, familiarity with how BIM models are used for quantity take-off is a useful addition to any QS CV.

Soft skills that matter

Technical ability alone is not enough. Employers consistently highlight commercial awareness, negotiation skills, and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders. Moreover, attention to detail is critical — errors in cost plans or payment applications can have significant financial consequences on large projects. As a result, candidates who can demonstrate both analytical rigour and strong interpersonal skills tend to progress more quickly through the QS career ladder.

• Breagh Recruitment — QS Jobs Ireland — Specialist QS recruitment agency with live roles from junior to senior level across Ireland and the UK

Salary: What QSs Earn in Ireland in 2026

€43,000 for graduates to €94,000+ for senior surveyors — experience, chartership, and employer size all push the numbers significantly

Average salary across sources

Salary data for quantity surveyors in Ireland varies across sources. Indeed Ireland puts the national average at €66,937 per year. SalaryExpert places the Dublin average higher at €77,124, with entry-level salaries at €56,899 and senior-level at €94,022. Glassdoor shows a somewhat lower figure of €62,250 in Dublin, with top earners reaching €91,900. Morgan McKinley’s 2026 salary guide reports the typical Dublin range as €50,000–€75,000. Therefore, a realistic mid-level expectation for an experienced QS in Dublin in 2026 is approximately €65,000–€80,000.

Graduate starting salaries

Graduates entering the profession typically start between €35,000 and €45,000. However, this figure can vary depending on the employer. Large main contractors such as John Sisk & Son offer competitive graduate packages with structured 27-month rotational programmes. Moreover, graduates in Dublin tend to earn more than those in regional locations, though that gap is gradually narrowing as demand for QS professionals spreads beyond the capital.

How chartership affects pay

Achieving chartered status is one of the most effective ways to increase your salary as a QS in Ireland. The jump from an intermediate QS to a chartered surveyor often brings an immediate salary increase of €8,000–€15,000. Furthermore, chartered surveyors working in specialist sectors — such as data centres, pharmaceutical construction, or civil engineering — can command a significant premium. Consequently, pursuing your APC as early as possible in your career is one of the smartest investments you can make.

Contracting vs. permanent employment

Many experienced QSs in Ireland choose to work as contractors. Day rates for experienced QS contractors in Dublin typically range from €300 to €500 per day, depending on seniority and sector. As a result, a contractor working full-time can earn considerably more than a permanent employee at the same level. Nevertheless, permanent roles offer greater stability, holiday entitlement, and employer pension contributions. The decision depends on your personal circumstances and risk appetite.

Top Employers Hiring QSs Right Now

From tier-one main contractors to specialist cost consultancies — here are the employers most actively hiring quantity surveyors in Ireland in 2026

Tier-one main contractors

The largest and most consistently active QS employers in Ireland are the major main contractors. John Sisk & Son is one of the most prominent. It offers a well-regarded graduate programme and regularly recruits experienced QSs for projects including Dublin Airport, large residential schemes, and data centres across Leinster. BAM Ireland is another major employer. It operates across civil engineering, public infrastructure, and large commercial builds, and recruits QSs at all levels nationwide. John Paul Construction is known for high-profile building projects and hires across technical and commercial roles. Additionally, Walls Construction actively recruits QSs for residential, commercial, and educational developments.

Specialist and civil contractors

Beyond the main contractors, specialist and civil engineering firms are also significant employers of QS professionals. Collen Construction focuses on major commercial and data centre projects. Furthermore, civil contractors working on road, water, and energy infrastructure — including projects under the National Development Plan — regularly seek QSs with civils experience. These roles often offer competitive packages including vehicle allowance, healthcare, and performance bonuses, particularly at senior and project QS level.

Cost consultancies and client-side roles

Cost consultancies represent an important alternative employment route for QSs in Ireland. Firms such as Linesight, Faithful+Gould, Turner & Townsend, and Gleeds all maintain active presences in the Irish market. These firms work on behalf of developers, State agencies, and multinationals. In other words, they offer the client-side QS experience that many professionals find more commercially varied and less pressured than contractor-side roles. Moreover, consultancy roles often offer more predictable working hours, which is attractive at certain career stages.

• Glassdoor Ireland — Quantity Surveyor Jobs — Browse current QS vacancies across Ireland with company reviews and salary insights

Salary by Experience: Comparison Table

Graduate to commercial manager — how QS salaries progress as your career develops in Ireland

How the career ladder works

The QS career ladder in Ireland is well-structured. It moves from Graduate QS through to Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and then into leadership roles such as Commercial Manager or Surveying Director. Experience is the single biggest driver of salary progression — particularly the jump from intermediate to senior level, which typically brings a 20–30% increase. Furthermore, chartership and sector specialisation both accelerate progression at the senior end of the scale. The table below summarises typical salary bands at each career stage in Ireland in 2026.