Property Jobs for Graduates in the UK: Types, Pay and Routes (2026)
Reviewed Checked on 29 October 2026
Pay and routes come from National Careers Service job profiles. Where profile versions disagree we say so. We did not find a verifiable named quote for this topic, so none is used.
Property jobs for graduates in the UK split into three families: surveying, planning and development, and sales and lettings. Each has a different qualification route and a different pay profile. This guide uses the National Careers Service for starter and experienced pay, and RICS for the route to chartered status.
Pay figures are National Careers Service ranges, not offers. Check live adverts for the employer and location you are targeting.
Property jobs for graduates: pay at a glance
| Role | Starter pay | Experienced pay | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building surveyor | £28,000 | £65,000 | National Careers Service |
| Quantity surveyor | £26,000 | £70,000 | National Careers Service |
| General practice surveyor | £28,000 | Not stated here | National Careers Service |
| Planning and development surveyor | £27,000 | £55,000 | National Careers Service |
| Land and property valuer and auctioneer | £25,000 | £50,000 | National Careers Service |
| Town planner | £26,000 | £45,000 | National Careers Service |
| Town planning assistant | £24,000 | £32,000 | National Careers Service |
| Land surveyor | About £20,000 | Not stated here | National Careers Service |
| Letting agent | £16,000 | £30,000 | National Careers Service |
Checked 29 October 2026. The National Careers Service estate agent profile shows different starter figures in different versions (between £19,000 and £23,000) and says pay is often basic salary plus commission, so we do not give one number. See the estate agent profile.
The three families of property jobs
Surveying covers building, quantity, general practice, land, rural and insurance risk surveyors. Planning and development covers town planners, planning assistants and planning and development surveyors. Sales and lettings covers estate agents, letting agents and valuers. You can move between them, but the entry qualification differs.
| Family | Typical roles | Usual graduate route |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying | Building, quantity, general practice, land surveyor | RICS-accredited degree, or an accredited postgraduate course if your degree is unrelated |
| Planning and development | Town planner, planning assistant, planning and development surveyor | Degree or postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute for planners |
| Sales and lettings | Estate agent, letting agent, valuer | Often entered through experience or an apprenticeship; check each employer |
Routes summarised from the National Careers Service profiles linked above.
How to qualify: degree, postgraduate or apprenticeship
| Route | What the profiles say | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited degree | Most surveying profiles point to a degree accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). You usually need 2 or 3 A levels or equivalent. | Course dependent |
| Postgraduate conversion | If your degree is unrelated, you can take an accredited postgraduate course in surveying. | Course dependent |
| Degree apprenticeship | Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, combining on-the-job training with university study. | Around 5 years |
| Becoming chartered | Register with RICS and pass the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). | See the RICS APC page |
We did not find a current RICS page confirming the exact length of structured training, so check the RICS APC page before you plan around a date.
Which property job fits you?
You like buildings and construction
Look at building surveyor and quantity surveyor. The National Careers Service gives these the highest experienced pay in the table, up to £65,000 and £70,000.
You like policy, land use and local areas
Look at town planner or planning and development surveyor. Planners usually need an RTPI-accredited qualification.
You like people and sales
Look at estate agent or letting agent. Commission can change what you earn, so compare basic salary and commission in each advert.
You have an unrelated degree
Look at accredited postgraduate surveying courses or the apprenticeship route rather than assuming you are locked out.
How to start: five steps
- Pick a family from the table: surveying, planning or sales and lettings.
- Check the accreditation you need: RICS for surveying, RTPI for planning.
- Find entry-level adverts and compare them with the pay ranges above.
- Prepare for online tests with our online tests guide.
- Compare property with other careers on the highest paying graduate salaries page and browse the graduate scheme hub.
FAQ
What property jobs can graduates get in the UK?
Surveying roles such as building, quantity and general practice surveyor, planning roles such as town planner, and sales and lettings roles such as estate agent and letting agent.
How much do property graduates earn?
The National Careers Service gives starter pay from about £20,000 for a land surveyor to £28,000 for building and general practice surveyors, and £26,000 for town planners and quantity surveyors.
Do I need a RICS degree?
Most surveying profiles point to a RICS-accredited degree, but an accredited postgraduate course is an option if your degree is unrelated, and there is a Level 6 degree apprenticeship.
How do I become a chartered surveyor?
Register with RICS and pass the Assessment of Professional Competence. Check the RICS page for current requirements.
Are estate agent salaries fixed?
Often not. The National Careers Service says estate agents commonly earn a basic salary plus commission, and the profile shows different starter figures across versions.
