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The UK’s surveying sector is changing fast. From digital twins to sustainability metrics, technology and regulation are reshaping what surveyors do and how they do it. But while tools and systems evolve, one question remains constant for both employers and professionals: Which skills will actually matter five years from now?
Whether you’re planning your next hire or your next career move, understanding where the profession is heading can make all the difference.
The Changing Face of Surveying
According to RICS, over 70% of employers say technology is transforming how their teams operate - and more than halfexpect to need “different skillsets entirely” by 2030. That doesn’t mean the fundamentals of measurement, valuation, or cost management will disappear. But it does mean that the most successful surveyors will combine traditional technical expertise with digital fluency, sustainability awareness, and strong communication skills.
The Construction Skills Network predicts that the UK will need over 220,000 additional workers in construction-related professions by 2028, with surveyors playing a major role in that growth. Demand will remain strong, but the expectations around what surveyors can do are shifting - quickly.
Digital and Data Literacy
Digital surveying is already here. Tools like BIM (Building Information Modelling), GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and 3D laser scanning are now standard across major projects. But in the next five years, it’s not just about using these tools - it’s about interpreting and integrating the data they produce.
Surveyors who can analyse digital models, extract insights, and communicate findings clearly will have a distinct edge.
A 2024 RICS report found that over 65% of firms now list “data analysis” as a key desired skill for new hires, up from just 35% five years ago.
Key takeaway: If you’re a professional, get comfortable with data-driven decision-making. If you’re an employer, invest in upskilling your teams now - before the gap widens.
Sustainability and Carbon Literacy
The UK’s net-zero goals are shaping every corner of the built environment, and surveying is no exception. From assessing embodied carbon to guiding retrofit projects, sustainability is now embedded in the surveyor’s role.
RICS’ “Value the Planet” report highlights that 74% of firmsbelieve sustainability knowledge will be a core requirement for future surveyors, not a specialist niche. Skills in carbon assessment, lifecycle costing, and environmental compliance are already influencing hiring decisions - particularly within cost and building surveying disciplines.
For employers: Make sustainability training part of your development plans.
For candidates:Even a basic understanding of PAS 2080, BREEAM, or carbon management can make you stand out.
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Communication and Client Advisory Skills
While technology handles more of the data, the human element of surveying - interpretation, negotiation, and relationship-building - remains irreplaceable.
Clients increasingly expect surveyors to act astrusted advisors, not just technical specialists. The ability to explain complex data, guide decision-making, and manage stakeholder expectations is becoming just as important as measurement accuracy.
According to Construction Industry Council research, soft skills are cited as the most significant gap in surveying recruitment today - particularly among early-career professionals.
In practice: The surveyors who’ll thrive are those who can blend commercial understanding with clear communication.
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
The only constant in surveying right now is change. As digital systems evolve and new regulations emerge, employers need professionals who can keep pace.
Continuous learning - through CPD, short courses, or professional accreditations - is increasingly seen as non-negotiable. RICS estimates thatmore than 50% of current surveying job roles will evolve substantially by 2030, meaning those who stay adaptable will have the most career resilience.
Tip for professionals: Treat learning like part of your job description.
Tip for employers:Support structured CPD and make time for development - it’s an investment, not a cost.
Multidisciplinary Knowledge
The line between surveying disciplines is blurring. Quantity surveyors are learning about sustainability and digital modelling. Building surveyors are working with facilities management teams. Land surveyors are collaborating with GIS analysts and environmental engineers.
Surveyors who can work across these boundaries - understanding how cost, design, and environmental performance interconnect - will be in the strongest position.
As projects become more complex, the future belongs to surveyors who can “join the dots” across sectors.
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The Salary and Career Outlook
Demand for skilled surveyors continues to outpace supply. According to the latest RICS UK Rewards & Attitudes Survey, average salaries for chartered surveyors rose by around 6% in 2024, with MRICS-qualified professionals in London now earning £70,000–£80,000 on average, and regional salaries typically £50,000–£60,000.
However, firms are increasingly valuing versatility, tech fluency, and sustainability credentials as much as years of experience. These differentiators could be the key to faster career progression and higher earning potential.
Looking Ahead
In five years’ time, the surveyors in highest demand won’t just be technically accurate - they’ll be digitally confident, environmentally aware, and commercially sharp.
For employers, that means recruiting and developing for the future, not just for the next project.
For candidates, it means building a career toolkit that balances timeless surveying fundamentals with emerging, high-value skills.
The sector is changing - but for those ready to evolve with it, the next five years look full of opportunity.
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