California Median
$109,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $89,320
State Rank
#2 of 51
7,460 employed here
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in California?
Urban and Regional Planners in California take home a median of $109,610 annually — roughly $52.70 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $89,320.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $77,430 while the top 10% make $166,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $90,330 and $136,070 a year.
Urban and Regional Planners salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,430 | $37.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $90,330 | $43.43 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $109,610 | $52.70 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $136,070 | $65.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,950 | $80.26 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Urban and Regional Planners pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Urban and Regional Planners salary in other states
District of Columbia $137,000Oregon $103,070Arizona $102,400Colorado $101,340Washington $100,990Nevada $100,040Connecticut $99,880Massachusetts $99,780Minnesota $97,060Alaska $93,860Illinois $91,360Rhode Island $90,210New York $89,630Maryland $88,570New Jersey $86,280Virginia $86,030Hawaii $85,590Vermont $84,750Utah $84,360Wisconsin $84,290Texas $82,830Kansas $82,330Oklahoma $81,520North Carolina $81,230Pennsylvania $80,810Montana $80,770Florida $80,720Missouri $80,720Georgia $80,030Ohio $79,950Maine $79,120Iowa $79,100Tennessee $78,970Michigan $78,510North Dakota $78,500New Mexico $77,710Idaho $76,500South Carolina $75,810Nebraska $74,830Louisiana $74,500New Hampshire $73,860South Dakota $71,180Indiana $70,760Alabama $70,710Wyoming $70,190Delaware $67,110Kentucky $65,000Arkansas $63,530West Virginia $61,390Mississippi $60,300
Working as Urban and Regional Planners in California
Nationally, about 44,000 people work as Urban and Regional Planners in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($109,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in California?
The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in California is $109,610 per year, or about $52.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,430 at the entry level to $166,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Urban and Regional Planners about 23% more than the national median of $89,320. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Urban and Regional Planners?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $109,610 a year. About 7,460 Urban and Regional Planners are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Urban and Regional Planners salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.