Quantity surveyor vs topographical surveyor

The differences between quantity surveyors and topographical surveyors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a quantity surveyor and a topographical surveyor. Additionally, a quantity surveyor has an average salary of $71,438, which is higher than the $54,768 average annual salary of a topographical surveyor.

The top three skills for a quantity surveyor include construction projects, QS and cost estimates. The most important skills for a topographical surveyor are survey data, GPS, and .

Quantity surveyor vs topographical surveyor overview

	Quantity Surveyor	Topographical Surveyor
Yearly salary	$71,438	$54,768
Hourly rate	$34.35	$26.33
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	2,128	1,929
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

Quantity surveyor vs topographical surveyor salary

Quantity surveyors and topographical surveyors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Quantity Surveyor	Topographical Surveyor
Average salary	$71,438	$54,768
Salary range	Between $44,000 And $114,000	Between $36,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Cheshire, CT	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	Air Products	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between quantity surveyor and topographical surveyor education

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

	Quantity Surveyor	Topographical Surveyor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Civil Engineering	Surveying, Mapping, And Hydraulic Technologies
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	University of Florida

Quantity surveyor vs topographical surveyor demographics

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

	Quantity Surveyor	Topographical Surveyor
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4%	Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 2.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 78.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between quantity surveyor and topographical surveyor duties and responsibilities

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.

Topographical surveyor example responsibilities.

Collect, processes, analyzes and manages field data using GIS and spatial technologies.
Complete field work by inspecting dams, setting grade stakes, and updating property records using a Trimble R8 GNSS system.
Perform excellent outside sales serving thousands of Medicare and Medicaid members in multiple states promoting free delivery of prescription medications.

Quantity surveyor vs topographical surveyor skills

Common quantity surveyor skills

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

Common topographical surveyor skills

Survey Data, 76%
GPS, 24%

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Quantity Surveyor vs Topographical Surveyor

Updated January 8, 2025

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