Urban and Regional Planners Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Urban and Regional Planners in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$137,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$65.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+53% vs US median
US median $89,320
State Rank
#1 of 51
120 employed here

How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in District of Columbia?

Urban and Regional Planners in District of Columbia take home a median of $137,000 annually — roughly $65.87 an hour — which runs 53% above the national median of $89,320.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $98,410 while the top 10% make $170,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $110,190 and $156,750 a year.

Urban and Regional Planners salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$98,410$47.31
25th percentile (early career)$110,190$52.98
50th percentile (median)$137,000$65.87
75th percentile (experienced)$156,750$75.36
90th percentile (top earners)$170,980$82.20

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Urban and Regional Planners pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$137,000
2California$109,610
3Oregon$103,070
4Arizona$102,400
5Colorado$101,340

Working as Urban and Regional Planners in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($137,000) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in District of Columbia is $137,000 per year, or about $65.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $98,410 at the entry level to $170,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Urban and Regional Planners about 53% more than the national median of $89,320. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Urban and Regional Planners?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,000 a year. About 120 Urban and Regional Planners are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.