Urban and Regional Planners
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 of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. The role reports a median annual salary of $83,720 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $50,620 and $129,070 and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Master's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.41 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Writing.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Law and Government
- Geography
- English Language
- Design
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Transportation
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
A day in the life
You start the day reviewing zoning applications and GIS maps, analyzing how a proposed housing development would affect traffic, green space, and neighborhood character. Mid-morning you attend a planning commission hearing where residents voice passionate opinions about a new bike lane, and you present data and recommendations to help elected officials make informed decisions. Afternoons involve site visits to parcels slated for redevelopment, drafting comprehensive plans for future land use, or researching best practices from other cities. The work shapes the physical world people live in, and the reward is driving through a neighborhood you helped redesign and seeing it thrive.
Frequently asked questions
What does Urban and Regional Planners do?
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
What does a typical day look like in Urban and Regional Planners?
You start the day reviewing zoning applications and GIS maps, analyzing how a proposed housing development would affect traffic, green space, and neighborhood character. Mid-morning you attend a planning commission hearing where residents voice passionate opinions about a new bike lane, and you present data and recommendations to help elected officials make informed decisions.
How much does Urban and Regional Planners earn?
The median annual salary for Urban and Regional Planners in the US is $83,720. The middle 80% of workers earn between $50,620 and $129,070 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $63,160 and $104,630.
What is the job outlook for Urban and Regional Planners?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 44,700 workers.
How do I become urban and regional planners?
The typical entry education is a Master's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Urban and Regional Planners need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Complex Problem Solving. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Urban and Regional Planners?
Our AI-durability model gives Urban and Regional Planners a score of 0.41 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Urban and Regional Planners has high barrier to entry — highly gated — a graduate degree or extended training/apprenticeship is typically required.
Is Urban and Regional Planners right for you?
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