In 2021, the construction sector in the USA was valued at 1.36 trillion dollars, with an expected growth percentage of 3% by 2026. This is great news for those already employed or looking for opportunities in the American construction profession. As the industry grows, the demand for construction workers, including quantity surveyor jobs, grows with it.
Interested in US-based quantity surveyor jobs? We’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll learn all there is to know about the demand for quantity surveyors, what you’ll need, and how you can start applying for any available positions.
Before applying for any job, it’s always good practice to research the market. This helps to gauge whether or not the industry you’re considering career-wise is performing well, both financially and in terms of opportunity.
In the USA, the market for quantity surveyor jobs is projected to grow by at least 2%, per year, until the end of the decade. With a positive employment forecast, it’s the perfect time to start keeping an eye out for open positions.
Until 2030, it’s anticipated that there will be 4,000 new job openings every year for quantity surveyors in the United States. Right now, New Jersey, North Dakota and Maine top the list of best places for quantity surveyors to work and live. However, that certainly doesn’t mean that the other 47 states should be overlooked!
With the industry continuing to grow, and the demand for quantity surveyor jobs established, let’s explore what the job entails.
The role of a quantity surveyor relies heavily on numbers. On a regular, if not daily basis, you’ll be expected to provide advice on financial and construction quantity decisions. Before pursuing a career in quantity surveying, it’s best to be certain that you enjoy working with numbers and that your math is up to speed. It’s going to feature heavily!
However, quantity surveyor jobs are incredibly varied and it’s likely no day will ever be the same. From working in different locations and overseeing numerous projects, you might oversee the development of a local town hall one week, and the next be working on a major skyscraper.
Other roles and responsibilities may include:
Forecasting prices: You’ll be in charge of both costing and sourcing materials, in addition to financially planning overall projects.
Preparation: Documents, contracts, budgets, and billing of material quantities will all require to be prepared as part of your role.
Client liaison: Tending to all client needs throughout the duration of the project, you’ll be responsible for managing relationships closely and advising upon formulated plans.
Measuring and valuing: To ensure everything remains on schedule, you’ll be expected to manage all in progress projects through to contractual completion, ensuring that they provide best value for money.
Reporting: You’ll also need to write reports for each project. Reports may include recording any changes to the agreed design and construction.
Of course, the duties involved are likely to fluctuate from project to project and you can expect to take on more responsibility as your career progresses, but what about the required skills involved with quantity surveyor jobs?
There’s no doubt that becoming a quantity surveyor takes hard work and dedication. Once you’ve got all the right skills, however, it can be extremely rewarding. Those successful when applying for quantity surveyor jobs are expected to have the following key skills:
Sound familiar? Great! Now that you know the skills involved, let’s look at the salaries on offer in the USA.
Don’t worry! Your hard work will be well rewarded, with quantity surveyor jobs in the USA earning an average $60,000, per year.
Prospective salaries are likely to be dependent on industry experience. Quantity surveyors less than a year into their career should expect a starting salary of approximately $52,000. Experienced professionals, meanwhile, can earn up to $119,000, per year.
Whether you’re an established professional or taking your first steps on the ladder, it’s never too late to pursue a career as a quantity surveyor. With the right drive and determination, there’s no limit to your potential and what you can achieve.
Provided you meet the requirements we’ve already listed, and don’t mind learning a new trick or two, you’ll be just fine. Don’t forget, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in construction or a related field, as well as industry or role experience through either an apprenticeship or internship. It’s also advisable to build your network and become more involved in the industry, before you begin.
Now that you’ve got all you need to start searching and applying for quantity surveyor jobs, where do you start looking?
SSA is a dedicated construction recruitment agency with offices across the USA. We match construction professionals with the best construction jobs available.
You can view all open vacancies on our website here.
