How much does a urban and regional planner make?
The median urban and regional planner in the United States earns $83,720 per year, about $40.25 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all urban and regional planners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 19-3051.
Urban and regional planner salary range
Pay for urban and regional planners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $55,590 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $128,550. The average (mean) wage of $89,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,590 | $26.73 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $66,210 | $31.83 | |
| Median (50th) | $83,720 | $40.25 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $104,450 | $50.22 | |
| 90th percentile | $128,550 | $61.80 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for urban and regional planners (SOC 19-3051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Urban and regional planner salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Urban and regional planners earn the most in District of Columbia at $129,750 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $58,240. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,750 | 140 |
| California | $105,230 | 7,630 |
| Washington | $98,190 | 2,840 |
| Colorado | $96,810 | 1,260 |
| Connecticut | $94,960 | 380 |
| New York | $94,740 | 2,100 |
| Oregon | $92,400 | 1,100 |
| Minnesota | $91,810 | 830 |
| Nevada | $88,750 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $88,030 | 1,570 |
| Maryland | $86,800 | 800 |
| Alaska | $85,970 | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $85,900 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $84,730 | 750 |
| North Dakota | $84,450 | 80 |
| Kansas | $83,660 | 350 |
| Vermont | $82,230 | 140 |
| Virginia | $81,750 | 1,710 |
| Hawaii | $80,170 | 450 |
| Illinois | $80,140 | 1,190 |
| North Carolina | $78,320 | 1,640 |
| Arizona | $78,200 | 1,110 |
| Texas | $78,180 | 2,150 |
| New Hampshire | $78,070 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $77,620 | 330 |
| Missouri | $77,360 | 400 |
| Florida | $77,190 | 2,640 |
| Wisconsin | $76,580 | 830 |
| Michigan | $76,380 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $75,990 | 1,070 |
| Montana | $75,950 | 230 |
| Iowa | $75,810 | 280 |
| Maine | $75,610 | 220 |
| Utah | $75,480 | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,250 | 1,090 |
| Ohio | $74,340 | 660 |
| Kentucky | $72,550 | 190 |
| Wyoming | $69,590 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $68,080 | 260 |
| Tennessee | $67,790 | 240 |
| Idaho | $67,000 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $66,570 | 410 |
| Delaware | $66,410 | 350 |
| Indiana | $66,380 | 510 |
| South Carolina | $65,580 | 440 |
| Nebraska | $65,070 | 340 |
| Alabama | $64,880 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $64,800 | 250 |
| Mississippi | $62,330 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $60,800 | 90 |
| West Virginia | $58,240 | 180 |
State median wages for urban and regional planners (SOC 19-3051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for urban and regional planners
The BLS projects employment of urban and regional planners to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 45,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 47,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,200 openings a year for urban and regional planners. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an urban and regional planner
The typical entry-level education for urban and regional planners is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an urban and regional planner earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $129,750) and the lowest (West Virginia, $58,240) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 43,040 people work as urban and regional planners in the United States. At $83,720 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Urban and regional planner salary FAQ
How much does an urban and regional planner make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an urban and regional planner is $40.25. The middle half of urban and regional planners earn between $31.83 and $50.22 per hour.
What is the highest urban and regional planner salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of urban and regional planners earn more than $128,550 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an urban and regional planner make a year?
The median annual salary for an urban and regional planner is $83,720. The average (mean) wage of $89,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an urban and regional planner a well paid job?
At $83,720 a year, an urban and regional planner earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 43,040 people work as urban and regional planners in the United States.
Which state pays urban and regional planners the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for urban and regional planners at $129,750 a year. California ($105,230) and Washington ($98,190) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an urban and regional planner a good career?
Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an urban and regional planner?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for urban and regional planners as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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