Urban and Regional Planner Salary in 2026
How Much Do Urban and Regional Planners Make?
Urban and Regional Planners earn a median annual salary of $83,720 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $55,590 at the 10th percentile to $128,550 at the 90th percentile — a range of $72,960. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $129,750.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,590 |
| 25th percentile | $66,210 |
| Median (50th) | $83,720 |
| 75th percentile | $104,450 |
| 90th percentile | $128,550 |
Urban and Regional Planner Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $129,750 |
| California | $105,230 |
| Washington | $98,190 |
| Colorado | $96,810 |
| Connecticut | $94,960 |
| New York | $94,740 |
| Oregon | $92,400 |
| Minnesota | $91,810 |
| Nevada | $88,750 |
| Massachusetts | $88,030 |
| Maryland | $86,800 |
| Alaska | $85,970 |
| Rhode Island | $85,900 |
| New Jersey | $84,730 |
| North Dakota | $84,450 |
| Kansas | $83,660 |
| Vermont | $82,230 |
| Virginia | $81,750 |
| Hawaii | $80,170 |
| Illinois | $80,140 |
| North Carolina | $78,320 |
| Arizona | $78,200 |
| Texas | $78,180 |
| New Hampshire | $78,070 |
| Oklahoma | $77,620 |
| Missouri | $77,360 |
| Florida | $77,190 |
| Wisconsin | $76,580 |
| Michigan | $76,380 |
| Georgia | $75,990 |
| Montana | $75,950 |
| Iowa | $75,810 |
| Maine | $75,610 |
| Utah | $75,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,250 |
| Ohio | $74,340 |
| Kentucky | $72,550 |
| Wyoming | $69,590 |
| South Dakota | $68,080 |
| Tennessee | $67,790 |
| Idaho | $67,000 |
| New Mexico | $66,570 |
| Delaware | $66,410 |
| Indiana | $66,380 |
| South Carolina | $65,580 |
| Nebraska | $65,070 |
| Alabama | $64,880 |
| Louisiana | $64,800 |
| Mississippi | $62,330 |
| Arkansas | $60,800 |
| West Virginia | $58,240 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Urban and Regional Planners
Urban and Regional Planner Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$55,590 – $66,210 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$83,720 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$104,450 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $128,550+ |
How to Earn More as an Urban and Regional Planner
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Urban and Regional Planners in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $133,380 — $49,660 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($104,450) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Urban and Regional Planner Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Plannerthis career | $83,720 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | $206,420 |
| Water Resource Specialist | $161,180 |
| Emergency Management Director | $86,130 |
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PathScorer compares your skills to Urban and Regional Planner requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 19-3051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.