### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Urban and Regional Planners Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			urban and regional planners imageUrban and regional planners often present projects to communities and planning officials.							
						Quick Facts:     Urban and Regional Planners2023     Median Pay
            						$81,800     per year
										$39.33     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Master's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    44,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    4% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,700What Urban and Regional Planners Do
                                                
                        
                        
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
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.
            
                                                How to Become an Urban or Regional Planner
                                                
                        
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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for urban and regional planners was $81,800 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of urban and regional planners is projected to grow							 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 3,700 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for urban and regional planners.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of urban and regional planners with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about urban and regional planners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Urban and Regional Planners Do 
            

			Urban and regional plannersUrban and regional planners review site plans submitted by developers.			
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
Duties
Urban and regional planners typically do the following:
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 regulationsUrban 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.
When working on a project, planners often collaborate with public officials, community members, and other groups to identify community issues and goals. They also analyze research and data to address issues and to meet goals. After they present a final project proposal to clients, planners may help to oversee its implementation.
Urban and regional planners use a variety of technology, such as statistical, data visualization, and financial management software. In addition, planners often use Geographic Information System (GIS) software to integrate data, such as for population density, with digital maps.
Urban and regional planners may specialize in transportation planning, community development, historic preservation, or other areas of focus.
 Work Environment
			Urban and regional plannersUrban and regional planners may travel to development sites.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Urban and regional planners held about 44,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of urban and regional planners were as follows:
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                65%State government, excluding education and hospitals
                10Architectural, engineering, and related services
                8Self-employed workers
                8Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                3Urban and regional planners may need to travel to inspect potential sites and proposed changes to existing sites.
Work Schedules
Most urban and regional planners work full time. Some work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups.
 How to Become an Urban or Regional Planner

			Urban and regional plannersUrban and regional planners must be effective communicators when they meet with public officials, developers, and the public regarding development plans and land use.			
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.
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.
Other Experience
Some entry-level positions require work experience in a related field, such as architecture, public policy, or economic development. Students may gain relevant experience through internships while enrolled in, or after completing, their degree program.
Licenses, Certifications, and 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. For example, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) offers the AICP certification for planners who meet certain requirements and pass an exam.
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.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Urban and Regional PlannersMedian annual wages, May 2023Social scientists and related workers$89,440  Urban and regional planners$81,800  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for urban and regional planners was $81,800 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $126,120.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for urban and regional planners in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                $86,980Architectural, engineering, and related services
                85,900Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                80,690State government, excluding education and hospitals
                80,160Most urban and regional planners work full time. Some work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Urban and Regional PlannersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Social scientists and related workers5%  Urban and regional planners4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of urban and regional planners is projected to grow				 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 3,700 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.
			Employment
	
			
Demographic, transportation, and environmental changes will drive employment growth for planners.
Within cities, urban planners will be needed to develop revitalization projects and address issues associated with population growth, environmental degradation, the movement of people and goods, and resource scarcity. Similarly, suburban areas and municipalities will need planners to address the challenges associated with population changes, including housing needs and transportation systems covering larger areas with less population density.
Planners will also be needed as new and existing communities require extensive development and improved infrastructure, including housing, roads, sewer systems, parks, and schools.
However, federal, state, and local government budgets may affect the employment of planners in government, because development projects are contingent on available funds.
			

                        Employment projections data for     urban and regional planners, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Urban and regional planners**
			19-3051
			44,700
			46,400
			4
			1,700
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Urban and regional planners **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of urban and regional planners. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Architects**
            Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
            Bachelor's degree
            $93,310**Cartographers and Photogrammetrists**
            Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create and update maps and related products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,210**Civil Engineers**
            Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,890**Economists**
            Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.
            Master's degree
            $115,730**Geographers**
            Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants.
            Bachelor's degree
            $90,880**Landscape Architects**
            Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.
            Bachelor's degree
            $79,320**Market Research Analysts**
            Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,680**Surveyors**
            Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries.
            Bachelor's degree
            $68,540**Survey Researchers**
            Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.
            Master's degree
            $60,960**Political Scientists**
            Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
            Master's degree
            $132,350
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers in urban and regional planning, visit
American Planning Association
For more information about certification in urban and regional planning, visit
American Institute of Certified Planners
For more information about New Jersey licensure, visit
New Jersey State Board of Professional Planners
For more information about accredited urban and regional planning programs, visit
Planning Accreditation Board

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Urban and Regional Planners
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Urban and Regional Planners, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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