Building surveyor | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Building surveyors advise clients about the design, construction, maintenance and repair of buildings.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
Prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
Prepare and

Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
Prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.
Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
Record the results of surveys including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).
Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.
Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries.
Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures.
Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures.
Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas.
Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods using knowledge of techniques of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.

Read more about Building surveyor

Building surveyors typically work around 38 to 40 hours per week.

As a Building surveyor you will typically work between 8am and 6pm.

This occupation tends to be:

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely

Read more about Building surveyor

* from ONETonline

Average salary
29,513 GBP *
per year

* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Salary statistics

Salary gender gap
Part-time
Pay over time

Average salary for Building surveyor

Big gender gap

29,807 GBP
22,087 GBP

Average salary for part-time Building surveyor

Average salary for full-time Building surveyor

Showing:

17,468 GBP
17,468 GBP

29,513 GBP
22,087 GBP
29,807 GBP

Salary over time for Building surveyor

Salary for this role has increased over time

23,242 GBP
24,575 GBP
24,192 GBP
24,987 GBP
25,989 GBP
26,844 GBP
29,513 GBP
26,598 GBP
29,003 GBP

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Future outlook for Building surveyors

Balanced outlook

38 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

3% yearly wage growth (on average)

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Building surveyor and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

42% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
32% of people in this role have a Diploma of Higher Education or equivalent
16% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent

You'll need:

knowledge of building and construction
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
customer service skills
the ability to use your initiative
knowledge of English language
analytical thinking skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
thinking and reasoning skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Building surveyor

Construction

Integrity - This job requires being honest and ethical.

Attention to Detail - This job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability - This job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Analytical Thinking - This job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Cooperation - This job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

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