Quality Assurance for Construction
Construction projects operate within tightly controlled regulatory and safety frameworks, where quality assurance plays a critical role in managing risk, compliance and long-term asset performance. QAagency specialises in recruiting Quality Assurance professionals for construction environments across the UK, supporting contractors, consultants and manufacturers operating within the built environment.
Quality Assurance roles within construction typically sit across main contractors, specialist subcontractors, materials suppliers and off-site manufacturing operations. These roles often span both site-based and office-based activity, combining on-site inspection and verification with system management, documentation control and audit preparation. Responsibilities are closely linked to health and safety, technical compliance and contractual requirements, with QA professionals working alongside site managers, engineers and commercial teams.
In most construction settings, QA roles report into a Quality Manager, QHSE Manager or Technical Director. The focus is on ensuring works are delivered in line with specifications, standards and regulatory obligations, while maintaining robust records to support audits, certifications and client handover requirements.
Roles we recruit for within construction QA
We recruit across a range of quality-focused roles within construction environments, including Quality Inspectors and QA Technicians supporting site activity and materials checks, Quality Engineers overseeing technical compliance and corrective actions, Quality Managers responsible for systems, audits and site governance and senior QHSE or Technical Managers with wider responsibility across multiple projects or regions.
2026 salary insight: construction quality assurance roles
Based on QAagency 2026 salary benchmarking, average UK salaries for construction-focused QA roles are:
Quality Inspector or QA Technician (0–2 years experience): £29,600
Quality Engineer (3–5 years experience): £39,400
Senior Quality Engineer (5–10 years experience): £48,700
Quality Manager or Head of Quality: £61,200
Salary progression within construction QA is influenced by project scale, regulatory exposure, client-facing responsibility and whether the role covers single-site or multi-project activity. Experience working under recognised standards and frameworks such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 also has a clear impact on earning potential.
Market and hiring trends in construction QA
Construction QA demand has remained steady through 2025 and into 2026, driven by increased scrutiny around building safety, traceability and compliance following regulatory reform. Quality roles are becoming more embedded within project delivery rather than operating as standalone support functions.
Year on year salary growth from 2025 to 2026 for construction QA roles has typically sat between 4.2% and 4.8%, with the strongest uplift seen at manager level where accountability for audit readiness and compliance strategy is higher. Over the past five years, senior construction QA salaries have increased by approximately 19%, reflecting expanded responsibility and regulatory pressure.
Employers are placing greater emphasis on documentation quality, audit preparedness and confidence dealing with clients, certifying bodies and regulators. Candidates with experience across both site operations and quality management systems are consistently in shorter supply.
Location and salary variation
London and the South East continue to offer the highest salaries for construction QA roles, particularly for Quality Managers overseeing complex or high-value projects. However, the gap between regions has narrowed. The Midlands and North West have seen average QA salaries increase by around 17% over the past five years, supported by sustained infrastructure and commercial development.
Site-based roles show less regional variation than office-led quality roles, as project requirements and regulatory obligations remain consistent across the UK. Candidates with multi-site or regional project exposure tend to command a salary premium regardless of location.