Urban and Regional Planners
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
Is urban and regional planners a good career?
It scores 21/100 and ranks #286 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($89,320 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a master's degree
What urban and regional planners earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. urban and regional planners earn between $72,020 and $110,030 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live urban and regional planners jobs
No live urban and regional planners openings yet
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- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow as fast as average through 2034.
Education
Urban and regional planners typically need a master's degree in urban and regional planning or a related field. Admission to master's degree programs typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Programs usually do not specify a particular undergraduate degree for admission, but students may benefit from having a background in architecture, social science, business, or a related field.
Accredited programs typically include coursework in subjects such as planning theory, land use law, and GIS for planning. Programs often have seminars and workshops, in which students learn to analyze and solve planning problems, and may offer concentrations in rural planning, urban revitalization, or other disciplines.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Most states do not require urban and regional planners to be licensed. New Jersey is an exception; information about its licensing requirements is available from the regulatory board of New Jersey.
Employers may prefer or require urban and regional planners to be certified.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Urban and regional planners evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as market research studies, censuses, and environmental impact studies.
Communication skills. Urban and regional planners prepare research reports and presentations. They must be able to effectively convey project details to a variety of stakeholders, such as public officials, interest groups, and community members.
Decision-making skills. Urban and regional planners must consider a range of options when determining whether site plans should be approved or denied.
Interpersonal skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
Leadership skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to manage projects, which may include delegating tasks and planning assignments.
Related occupations
How much do urban and regional planners make?
The national median wage is $89,320 a year, with the middle half earning between $72,020 and $110,030 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is urban and regional planners a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 21 of 100 and ranks #286 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +3.4% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a urban and regional planner?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree.
Where do urban and regional planners earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($137,000). Local pay for every state and metro is below.