Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$91,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $89,320
State Rank
#12 of 51
1,140 employed here

How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in Illinois?

Urban and Regional Planners in Illinois take home a median of $91,360 annually — roughly $43.92 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $89,320.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $56,190 while the top 10% make $145,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,230 and $113,530 a year.

Urban and Regional Planners salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,190$27.01
25th percentile (early career)$74,230$35.69
50th percentile (median)$91,360$43.92
75th percentile (experienced)$113,530$54.58
90th percentile (top earners)$145,660$70.03

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 12th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($91,360) 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 Illinois?
The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in Illinois is $91,360 per year, or about $43.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,190 at the entry level to $145,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Urban and Regional Planners about 2% more than the national median of $89,320. Illinois ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Urban and Regional Planners?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $91,360 a year. About 1,140 Urban and Regional Planners are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.