Urban and Regional Planners Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$81,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $89,320
State Rank
#25 of 51
1,630 employed here

How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in North Carolina?

Urban and Regional Planners in North Carolina take home a median of $81,230 annually — roughly $39.05 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $89,320.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $58,830 while the top 10% make $112,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,740 and $97,120 a year.

Urban and Regional Planners salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,830$28.28
25th percentile (early career)$66,740$32.09
50th percentile (median)$81,230$39.05
75th percentile (experienced)$97,120$46.69
90th percentile (top earners)$112,110$53.90

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 25th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($81,230) 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 North Carolina?
The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in North Carolina is $81,230 per year, or about $39.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,830 at the entry level to $112,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Urban and Regional Planners about 9% less than the national median of $89,320. North Carolina ranks 25th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Urban and Regional Planners?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,230 a year. About 1,630 Urban and Regional Planners are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.