Median Salary
$89,320
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$42.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$134,490
entry level starts ~$60,010
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 44,000 employed
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make?
The median pay for Urban and Regional Planners in the United States is $89,320 per year — about $42.94 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $60,010, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $134,490.
That is $27,930 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Urban and Regional Planners salary range by percentile
Half of all Urban and Regional Planners earn between $72,020 and $110,030 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,010 | $28.85 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $72,020 | $34.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,320 | $42.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $110,030 | $52.90 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,490 | $64.66 |
|
Highest-paying states for Urban and Regional Planners
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Urban and Regional Planners pay at $137,000 a year, followed by California ($109,610) and Oregon ($103,070). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $60,300 — a gap of $76,700 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Urban and Regional Planners salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
District of Columbia $137,000California $109,610Oregon $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
Workforce and education
About 44,000 people work as Urban and Regional Planners in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $94,750 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in the United States?
The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in the United States is $89,320 per year, or about $42.94 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,010, while the top 10% of earners make $134,490 or more.
How does Urban and Regional Planners pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Urban and Regional Planners median of $89,320 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Urban and Regional Planners the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Urban and Regional Planners, with a median salary of $137,000 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Urban and Regional Planners need?
For most positions, a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Urban and Regional Planners work in the United States?
About 44,000 people were employed as Urban and Regional Planners in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.