High pay and strong employment prospects! Construction faces a severe shortage of quantity surveyors!

Salaries range from 50,000-150,000 depending on experience High earners make up the majority of quantity surveyors

New Zealand's government careers website shows that entry-level quantity surveyors generally earn around NZ$50,000–85,000 a year, while experienced quantity surveyors can earn NZ$90,000–150,000. It is a well-paid occupation within construction.

Tom Huang from New Zealand building company High Land Construction told us that experienced quantity surveyors are highly sought after in New Zealand's construction market. Many building companies are willing to pay a premium to secure an experienced QS. Most experienced QSs earn around NZ$80,000–90,000 a year, and companies generally need 2–3 months to recruit one with substantial experience.

We learned from Unitec and Auckland University of Technology that new graduates generally earn around $60,000 a year, with higher salaries available to those with 2 to 3 years of experience or more.

Elena Craig, a local Kiwi quantity surveyor, told us she had a strong grounding in mathematics and originally planned to study accounting at Auckland University of Technology, but ultimately chose quantity surveying. She now finds being a quantity surveyor far more interesting than being a traditional accountant. With good employment prospects and high salaries, quantity surveying is also a popular field of study among local students. 

“People need us to control costs during construction. It is a cool job. Construction is more exciting than traditional accounting because you are always wondering: where will my next job be? Who will I be working with?” Elena Craig said.

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Quantity surveying becomes a fast track to immigration, with a longstanding place on Immigration New Zealand's shortage list

With New Zealand facing a housing shortage spanning decades, quantity surveyors have been in strong demand in construction in recent years. Data shows that, despite the scale of New Zealand's construction industry, the country has only around 3348 quantity surveyors, with a market shortfall of around 6,000. These numbers fall far short of current demand. Immigration New Zealand's occupational shortage lists show quantity surveyors on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.

With high salaries, strong employment demand and inclusion on Immigration New Zealand's Long Term Skill Shortage List, quantity surveying is seen by many Chinese parents and international students as a fast track to immigration.

An adviser at a New Zealand immigration agency said: “As salary requirements for skilled migration rise, construction, as a high-paying industry, is becoming increasingly popular with international students. Graduates in construction-related subjects, particularly quantity surveying, construction engineering and architectural design, have little difficulty finding work, and their starting salaries are higher than in other industries. Many institutions have introduced quantity surveying courses to compete for international students.”

Booming construction creates a severe shortage of quantity surveyors

In 2021, with support from the government's latest housing policies, NZ$3,800,000,000 will be progressively committed this year to Auckland housing infrastructure. Under Auckland Council's 2020 plan, 22,000 homes will be added over the next 10 years to address housing problems. This means more construction work will need to get under way in 2021.

Beyond this, New Zealand's construction industry faces substantial work upgrading leaky homes, building in earthquake-prone areas, delivering road and rail projects, repairing earthquake damage in Wellington and Kaikōura, and rebuilding Christchurch. All of these projects will contribute to a severe labour shortage across the industry.

In today's booming construction industry, how should QS graduates choose the right working environment? Should they grow alongside a project, or join a PQS practice in an office? Which environment best fits their career goals? Red Zhou, an experienced QS specialist and leading tutor at training provider BIET, offers his perspective. 

About the expert tutor:
Red has worked at Hawkins Construction, New Zealand's second-largest construction company, since 2005. He has helped deliver Auckland's first large school project under a PPP contract, Hobsonville Point PPP Schools; its first prefabricated high-rise apartment building, UOA Elam Hall Apartments; the Britomart mixed-use development in central Auckland; and an Auckland International Airport terminal serving the Airbus A380. Progressing from junior to senior QS, Red has gained experience on nearly two billion New Zealand dollars' worth of commercial construction, including large office complexes, hospitals, schools, apartments, airport facilities and public-benefit government projects.
QS plays an important role in construction Red Zhou said: “Quantity surveying is a longstanding occupation in construction, originating in the eighteenth century. Early QS work involved assessing projects and preparing final accounts after construction was complete. By the early nineteenth century, changes in contract law and building systems had led QSs to assess projects and estimate construction costs before work began. By then, QSs had become indispensable to the construction industry.” Practical experience: adapting to circumstances is essential for a junior QS to develop the skills they need Red said: “At school, QS students mainly learn foundational knowledge and basic procedures, such as building regulations, contract law, building systems and measurement of labour and materials. These are essential skills for anyone about to graduate or already involved in construction. Yet once people enter the industry, they find that what they learned differs greatly from practical application. Every project has its own characteristics, with its design, construction and contractual arrangements tailored accordingly. So how can you adapt to changing circumstances? Practical experience matters most!” How can newcomers get up to speed quickly?

New QSs entering the industry often feel unsure where to start. Should they measure from drawings or on site? How can drawings and software be used effectively for analysis? How can they prepare a more competitive quote? What kind of payment certificate complies with New Zealand regulations? These and many other questions can leave newcomers bewildered. To respond to the booming construction market and shortage of QSs, BIET and the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA) have invited experienced senior QS Red Zhou to deliver a professional, systematic lecture programme for recent graduates and industry newcomers: “The role and responsibilities of a QS in development and construction projects”. We understand the programme focuses on moving from theoretical knowledge to practical application, offering a valuable learning opportunity for those starting their careers. The programme will be taught entirely in Chinese, making it easier to understand and learn for students accustomed to attending classes in English. Red Zhou concluded: “We will introduce more technical courses to support and develop employment opportunities for Chinese people in New Zealand.” 

5/11 is the official start date, expressed as month/day. The programme comprises 4 classes, each lasting 2.5 hours. Registrations are now open, and everyone is welcome to attend this programme packed with practical insights!

Registration phone: 09 2158618/02183689  Class times: Afternoon 2:30-5:00 

1. 11 May (weekday 2)
2. 13 May (weekday 4)
3. 18 May (weekday 2)
4. 20 May (weekday 4)  
Address: 153 Captain Springs Rd,Onehunga