Quantity Surveyor Job Description UAE 2025 — Responsibilities, Qualifications and Salary
A Quantity Surveyor in UAE earns between AED 108,000 and AED 240,000 per year. The role manages the cost of construction projects from pre-tender stage through to final account, preparing bills of quantities, valuing work, and administering variations. It requires a bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, MRICS or working towards chartership, and 4 to 10 years of UAE or GCC construction experience.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 108,000–240,000
Updated 2025
Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare bills of quantities (BOQ) from drawings and specifications | Per project | BOQ issued for tender within agreed programme |
| Evaluate tender submissions and prepare tender reports | Per tender | Tender report submitted to client with recommendation |
| Value interim payment applications from contractors | Monthly | Interim payment certificate issued within contract timeframe |
| Assess and value variation orders and engineer’s instructions | Per variation | Variation account agreed and incorporated into final account |
| Prepare final account and project cost report | Per project | Final account agreed within 3 months of practical completion |
| Maintain cost plan and report against budget | Monthly | Cost report issued within 5 days of month end |
Quantity Surveyor Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Quantity Surveyor role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying or Civil Engineering |
| Membership | MRICS (RICS Chartered) or working towards RICS chartership |
| Experience | 4 to 10 years in quantity surveying on construction projects in UAE or GCC |
| Software | CostX, Candy, or similar QS software; AutoCAD for take-off |
| Contracts | FIDIC and NEC4 contract measurement and valuation knowledge |
| Communication | BOQ preparation, variation negotiation, and final account settlement |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Quantity Surveyor employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Quantity Surveyor
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Quantity Surveyor candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Quantity Surveyor earn in UAE?
A Quantity Surveyor in UAE earns between AED 108,000 and AED 240,000 per year. MRICS-chartered QSs earn AED 168,000 to AED 240,000. Graduate QSs (0 to 3 years PQE) earn AED 84,000 to AED 120,000. Large infrastructure and master development project QSs earn at the upper end of the range.
Is RICS chartership required for QS roles in UAE?
RICS chartership (MRICS) is strongly preferred and specified in most senior UAE Quantity Surveyor job postings. Many UAE employers accept candidates working towards RICS chartership for mid-level roles. CIOB qualification is accepted in some cases. For government and semi-government client QS roles, MRICS is typically a minimum requirement.
How does RFS recruit Quantity Surveyors?
RFS sources Quantity Surveyor candidates for consultancies, main contractors, and developers across UAE and Saudi Arabia. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Quantity Surveyor does in UAE
A Quantity Surveyor in UAE manages the financial and contractual aspects of construction projects from pre-contract procurement through to final account settlement, preparing bills of quantities, evaluating tenders, and administering contracts under FIDIC conditions standard in UAE. Your financial expertise directly protects the project margin and the client’s budget exposure.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare bills of quantities, cost plans, and tender documentation for UAE construction projects
- Evaluate contractor and subcontractor tenders and prepare tender reports
- Administer the main contract and subcontracts including payment certificates, variations, and claims
- Prepare and submit monthly interim payment applications for contractor or client
- Manage the variation order register and assess the financial impact of design changes
- Assess and respond to contractor extension of time and loss and expense claims
- Prepare monthly cost reports tracking actual vs budget and final cost forecast
- Negotiate and agree the final account with the main contractor at project completion
- Manage procurement of specialist subcontractors and supplier packages
- Support dispute resolution processes under FIDIC DAB or UAE arbitration procedures
Qualifications required
- Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying or construction management
- MRICS qualification or actively pursuing
- 4 to 8 years QS experience with at least 2 years on UAE or GCC construction projects
- Experience administering FIDIC Red Book or Yellow Book contracts in UAE
- Proficiency in CostX, Candy, or equivalent estimating software
- Knowledge of UAE municipality fee structures and DLD off-plan regulations
- Arabic language skills preferred for municipality submissions
- NEC4 contract experience preferred for Abu Dhabi infrastructure projects
Quantity Surveyor salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| PQS or cost consultant (Turner & Townsend, Gleeds, Faithful+Gould) | 200,000–340,000 |
| Main contractor commercial team (Tier 1 UAE) | 180,000–320,000 |
| Developer project management team | 190,000–340,000 |
| Specialist subcontractor or MEP contractor (UAE) | 160,000–280,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Quantity Surveyor roles carry a 30 to 60 day notice period in UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Quantity Surveyor in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Quantity Surveyor candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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Quantity Surveyor Salary by Emirate — UAE 2025
| Emirate | Salary Range (AED/month) | vs Dubai | Key Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 12,000 – 25,000 | Base | AECOM, Turner & Townsend, Faithful+Gould, developer-side roles |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 13,000 – 27,000 | +5–8% | EC Harris, Abu Dhabi government QS panels, Aldar projects |
| Sharjah | AED 10,000 – 22,000 | -10–15% | Regional contractors, government project offices |
Source: Michael Page UAE Salary Guide 2026, Indeed UAE 2025. All figures tax-free.
Sector note: MRICS qualification commands 20–25% premium over non-chartered QS. Developer-side QS roles pay 15% more than contractor-side equivalents.
UAE Market Data — Quantity Surveyor 2025
Salary Range (AED/month)
AED 10,000 – 45,000 (varies by seniority)
Tax-free. Source: Michael Page UAE 2026, Indeed UAE 2025
Industry
Construction — UAE & GCC
Required Certifications (UAE Market)
PMP / PRINCE2 for PMs. MRICS / MCIOB for QS/site roles. CIOB membership valued. NEC/FIDIC contract knowledge.
UAE-Specific Regulatory Skills
Dubai Building Code (Dubai Municipality), Abu Dhabi International Building Code (ADIBC), RERA registration for Dubai projects, Trakhees approval for free zone projects, UAE Fire and Life Safety Code.
RFS HR Consultancy places quantity surveyor professionals across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE and GCC. View our construction recruitment services Dubai UAE or check the construction salary guide UAE 2025.
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