Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$79,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $89,320
State Rank
#33 of 51
300 employed here

How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in Iowa?

Urban and Regional Planners in Iowa take home a median of $79,100 annually — roughly $38.03 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $89,320.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $55,550 while the top 10% make $107,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,490 and $92,150 a year.

Urban and Regional Planners salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$55,550$26.71
25th percentile (early career)$65,490$31.49
50th percentile (median)$79,100$38.03
75th percentile (experienced)$92,150$44.30
90th percentile (top earners)$107,370$51.62

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 33rd 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 Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($79,100) 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 Iowa?
The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in Iowa is $79,100 per year, or about $38.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,550 at the entry level to $107,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Urban and Regional Planners about 11% less than the national median of $89,320. Iowa ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Urban and Regional Planners?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $79,100 a year. About 300 Urban and Regional Planners are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.