The median pay for Urban and Regional Planners is $89,320 a year ($42.94/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.9% through 2035, with about 3,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 19-3051
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Urban and Regional Planner in four numbers
- Median pay
- $89,320a year, or $42.94/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $60KTop 10% $134K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.9%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,20045,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202545.8K
- Projected 203547.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 45.8K Projected 2035 47.6K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's40%
- Master's56%
- Professional degree4%
Highest education held by urban and regional planners Segment Value Bachelor's 40% Master's 56% Professional degree 4%
Also advertised as: City Planner, Community Development Planner, Community Planner, Development Technician, Housing Development Specialist, Neighborhood Planner.
Pay
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make?
Every urban and regional planner in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$89,320
Middle half earn $72,020 to $110,030
- 10th
- $60,010
- 25th
- $72,020
- 75th
- $110,030
- 90th
- $134,490
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,010 |
| 25th | $72,020 |
| Median | $89,320 |
| 75th | $110,030 |
| 90th | $134,490 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $89,320
- Median hourly wage
- $42.94/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $94,750
- People employed
- 44,230
Versus all US occupations
At $89,320, Urban and Regional Planners earn 75% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $38,340 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 9% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $134,490 or more while the bottom 10% earn $60,010, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 66% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $137,000, and still leads at $124,658 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Urban and Regional Planners the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $137,000 | $124,658 | 120 |
| 2California | $109,610 | $98,997 | 7,460 |
| 3Oregon | $103,070 | $99,718 | 1,010 |
| 4Arizona | $102,400 | $101,711 | 1,330 |
| 5Colorado | $101,340 | $98,339 | 1,300 |
| 6Washington | $100,990 | $94,372 | 3,180 |
| 7Nevada | $100,040 | $100,061 | 270 |
| 8Connecticut | $99,880 | $96,400 | 350 |
| 9Massachusetts | $99,780 | $94,348 | 1,540 |
| 10Minnesota | $97,060 | $98,417 | 860 |
Job outlook
Is Urban and Regional Planner a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | +3.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Urban and Regional Planners to change 3.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,200 openings are projected each year, 7.0% of the 45,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demographic, transportation, and environmental changes will drive employment growth for planners.
Within cities, urban planners will be needed to develop revitalization projects and address issues associated with population growth, environmental degradation, the movement of people and goods, and resource scarcity. Similarly, suburban areas and municipalities will need planners to address the challenges associated with population changes, including housing needs and transportation systems covering larger areas with less population density.
Planners will also be needed as new and existing communities require extensive development and improved infrastructure, including housing, roads, sewer systems, parks, and schools.
Getting in
How to become an Urban and Regional Planner
Urban and regional planners typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited planning program to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer or require planners to be certified.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as urban and regional planners.
- Master's Degree56%
- Bachelor's Degree40%
- First Professional Degree4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 56% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 40% |
| First Professional Degree | 4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Urban and Regional Planner do?
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
Day-to-day tasks
- Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
- Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
- Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
- Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
- Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
- Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
- Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
- Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most urban and regional planners work full time. Some work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where urban and regional planners work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals74%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals9%
- Architectural, engineering, and related services9%
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 74% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 9% |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 9% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Writing3.9
- Active Learning3.3
- Mathematics3.0
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.1
- Systems Analysis4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Negotiation3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Service Orientation3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 |
| Negotiation | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Urban and Regional Planner?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Urban and Regional Planner |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Investigative5.3
- Enterprising4.5
- Conventional4.0
- Realistic3.2
- Artistic3.1
- Social3.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Urban and Regional Planner
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Business and Financial Operations
- Management
- Business and Financial Operations
- Management
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialist and Site Manager
$141,900median a year
Most earn $74K to $238K
+4.9%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with urban and regional planners highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Urban and Regional Planner$89,320
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $89,320 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within urban and regional planner
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Urban and Regional Planner appears on
Questions
Urban and Regional Planner: frequently asked questions
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make?
Urban and Regional Planners earn a median of $89,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 75% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $42.94/hr. The middle half earn between $72,020 and $110,030. The top 10% earn $134,490 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Urban and Regional Planner?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Urban and Regional Planners, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 56.0% hold master's degree.
Is Urban and Regional Planner a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.9% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Urban and Regional Planner do?
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions. A core O*NET task: design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Desktop publishing software.
Which states pay Urban and Regional Planners the most?
The highest state medians for Urban and Regional Planners are District of Columbia ($137,000), California ($109,610), Oregon ($103,070) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Urban and Regional Planner?
O*NET scores Urban and Regional Planners highest on the Investigative, Enterprising and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with INTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.