Urban & Regional Planner - Shape Communities

Urban and Regional Planners

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Quick Facts:
Urban and Regional Planners 2024 Median Pay $83,720 per year

$40.25 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs,
Job Outlook, 2024–34 3% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2024–34 1,500

Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.

Urban and regional planners usually work in an office setting and may travel to visit proposed sites. Most work full time, and some work evenings or weekends to attend meetings.

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.

The median annual wage for urban and regional planners was $83,720 in May 2024.

Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 3,400 openings for urban and regional planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 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.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for urban and regional planners.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of urban and regional planners with similar occupations.

Learn more about urban and regional planners by visiting additional resources, including O
* NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

• Meet with stakeholders such as government officials, developers, and the public regarding development plans and land use
• Gather and analyze data from field investigations and sources such as market research, censuses, and environmental studies
• Assess the feasibility of site plans submitted by developers and identify needed changes
• Recommend whether site plans should be approved or denied
• Stay current on government policies such as zoning laws, building codes, and environmental regulations

Urban and regional planners identify community needs and develop short- and long-term projects for certain areas. They help communities manage economic, social, environmental, and other issues. Examples include creating access to parks and sidewalks, expanding affordable housing, and making the region more attractive to businesses.

Most urban and regional planners work full time. Some work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups.

Urban and regional planners may specialize in transportation planning, community development, historic preservation, or other areas of focus.

• 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.

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. Information on certifications is available from Career One Stop .

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…