Estimator vs quantity surveyor

The differences between estimators and quantity surveyors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an estimator, becoming a quantity surveyor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a quantity surveyor has an average salary of $71,438, which is higher than the $67,162 average annual salary of an estimator.

The top three skills for an estimator include customer service, cost estimates and project management. The most important skills for a quantity surveyor are construction projects, QS, and cost estimates.

Estimator vs quantity surveyor overview

	Estimator	Quantity Surveyor
Yearly salary	$67,162	$71,438
Hourly rate	$32.29	$34.35
Growth rate	-2%	1%
Number of jobs	12,567	2,128
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	2	6

Estimator vs quantity surveyor salary

Estimators and quantity surveyors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Estimator	Quantity Surveyor
Average salary	$67,162	$71,438
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $96,000	Between $44,000 And $114,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Cheshire, CT
Highest paying state	Vermont	New Jersey
Best paying company	BlackRock	Air Products
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between estimator and quantity surveyor education

There are a few differences between an estimator and a quantity surveyor in terms of educational background:

	Estimator	Quantity Surveyor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Civil Engineering
Most common college	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Estimator vs quantity surveyor demographics

Here are the differences between estimators' and quantity surveyors' demographics:

	Estimator	Quantity Surveyor
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%	Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	4%	7%

Differences between estimator and quantity surveyor duties and responsibilities

Estimator example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain high CSI ratings measure by an independent consumer rating firm.
Manage prevailing wage for payroll and prepare and submit bi-weekly certify payroll reports.
Manage the estimating of a commercial & industrial plumbing and mechanical contracting business.
Facilitate all product installation and replacement of equipment; including scheduling electrical, plumbing, roofing, and crane operator subcontractors.
Review and modify drawings in AutoCad.
Coordinate with MEP consultants during the project.

Quantity surveyor example responsibilities.

Prepare shop drawings using AutoCAD software.
Update contract BOQ base on contractors approve shop drawings to submit update BOQ and expect cost of completion.
Base: UK, UAE, Trinidad
Assist in the preparation of tenders for new contracts including pre-contract measurements and pricing.
Follow and maintain the drawing set using AutoCAD and release them to supervisors for assign tasks.
Check the quantities in BOQ during site handover for the contractor and match them with the implemented quantities at the site.

Estimator vs quantity surveyor skills

Common estimator skills

Customer Service, 17%
Cost Estimates, 6%
Project Management, 6%
Repair Process, 4%
Work Ethic, 4%
Construction Projects, 4%

Common quantity surveyor skills

Construction Projects, 18%
QS, 12%
Cost Estimates, 6%
Contractual Claims, 6%
Cost Analysis, 6%
Cost Control, 6%