Urban and Regional Planners Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$81,567
Highest Paying City
San Jose
$116,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Urban and Regional Planners Do?
Urban and Regional Planners apply the scientific method to study natural phenomena, human behavior, or social systems. Their research helps solve complex problems and informs evidence-based decision making across many fields.
Work settings include research laboratories, field locations, offices, and academic institutions. Hours can be irregular, especially when conducting experiments or fieldwork.
Key Skills for Urban and Regional Planners
Scientific WritingLaboratory TechniquesCritical ThinkingAttention to DetailPresentation SkillsGrant Writing
Education Requirements
Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline
Many research positions require a master's or doctoral degree. Some entry-level technician roles may accept a bachelor's degree. Postdoctoral research experience is common for academic and senior research positions.
Career Outlook
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, with increasing demand for research in areas like environmental science, healthcare, and data analysis.
How to Increase Your Urban and Regional Planners Salary
- 1.Develop strong statistical analysis and programming skills (R, Python, SAS)
- 2.Pursue postdoctoral research opportunities for academic career advancement
- 3.Apply for research grants from government agencies and private foundations
- 4.Build a professional network through conferences and professional associations
- 5.Develop expertise in interdisciplinary research methods
Urban and Regional Planners Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $116,000 | $120,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Francisco, CA | $110,000 | $113,000 | $61,000 - $147,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $109,000 | $112,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $101,000 | $108,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $101,000 | $107,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $100,000 | $103,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,000 | $98,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $93,000 | $95,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $92,000 | $99,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $91,000 | $97,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $90,000 | $94,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $89,000 | $94,000 | $53,000 - $116,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $88,000 | $94,000 | $53,000 - $114,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $87,000 | $93,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $87,000 | $95,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $87,000 | $90,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $87,000 | $91,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $86,000 | $89,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $86,000 | $95,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $86,000 | $94,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $85,000 | $95,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $83,000 | $93,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $82,000 | $88,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $82,000 | $88,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $81,000 | $84,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $81,000 | $83,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $81,000 | $86,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $80,000 | $83,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $80,000 | $87,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $80,000 | $83,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $79,000 | $84,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $79,000 | $85,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $78,000 | $81,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $78,000 | $84,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $78,000 | $81,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $78,000 | $84,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $78,000 | $85,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $78,000 | $81,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $77,000 | $83,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $77,000 | $79,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $77,000 | $82,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $77,000 | $82,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $76,000 | $83,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $75,000 | $79,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $75,000 | $79,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $75,000 | $77,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $75,000 | $84,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $75,000 | $78,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $74,000 | $77,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $74,000 | $76,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $74,000 | $82,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $73,000 | $75,000 | $44,000 - $95,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $72,000 | $75,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $71,000 | $75,000 | $43,000 - $92,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $68,000 | $73,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $64,000 | $69,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $63,000 | $68,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $61,000 | $64,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $60,000 | $65,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $60,000 | $65,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | CAD | Apply |