Quantity surveyor salaries in Ireland
Quantity surveying has been a candidate short market in Ireland for several years, and salaries reflect that. The figures below are what we are actually placing people at, rather than advertised ranges.
Last reviewed 10 November 2026 by the O'Neill & Brennan team
Salary by experience
Broad ranges for permanent roles in Ireland as of 2026:
- Graduate QS: €34,000 to €42,000
- QS with two to four years: €48,000 to €62,000
- Intermediate QS, four to seven years: €62,000 to €78,000
- Senior QS: €78,000 to €95,000
- Managing QS or Commercial Manager: €95,000 to €130,000
Contractor side versus consultancy
Main contractor roles generally pay more than private practice consultancy at the same level, often by ten to fifteen per cent. The trade off is that contractor side work is more delivery focused and tied to a project, while consultancy gives broader exposure across clients.
Subcontractor QS roles sit between the two and are frequently overlooked, despite often offering faster progression because the commercial team is smaller.
What moves the number
Sector is the single biggest factor. Data centre and pharma programmes pay a clear premium over general residential because the commercial complexity and the client expectations are higher.
Dublin pays more than the rest of the country, though the gap has narrowed as Cork and Galway have become busier. Package elements such as vehicle allowance, bonus and pension can add meaningfully to the headline salary, so compare the whole package rather than just the base.
Common questions
What is a good quantity surveyor salary in Ireland?
For a QS with four to seven years experience, €62,000 to €78,000 is the typical range. Senior QSs earn €78,000 to €95,000, with more on data centre and pharma programmes.
Do quantity surveyors earn more contractor side or in consultancy?
Main contractor roles usually pay ten to fifteen per cent more than consultancy at the same level, though consultancy offers broader client exposure.
Is quantity surveying in demand in Ireland?
Yes. It has been a candidate short discipline for several years and remains one of the roles we are asked to fill most often.