Science
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.
Median pay
$89,320
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
3,200
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Urban and regional planners
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Urban and regional planners: 46% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
- Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
- Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
Also called: City Planner · Community Development Planner · Community Planner · Development Technician · Housing Development Specialist · Neighborhood Planner · Planner · Planning Consultant
Outlook and AI
Urban and regional planners held 45,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 47,600 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Urban and regional planners vs. Social scientists and related workers, all other
- Urban and regional planners vs. Project manager
- Urban and regional planners vs. Chief executive
- Urban and regional planners vs. Business operations specialists, all other
- Urban and regional planners vs. Managers, all other
- Urban and regional planners vs. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Urban and regional planners vs. Landscape architect
- Urban and regional planners vs. Conservation scientist