Urban Planner Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$84,000
national median salary
$66,000 to $104,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $89,320 for Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051) across the United States, based on 44,230 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$60,010
25th percentile
$72,020
Median
$89,320
75th percentile
$110,030
90th percentile
$134,490
Workers surveyed
44,230
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$83,720
May 2025 release
$89,320
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051) rather than Urban Plannerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 19-3051Highest Paying
$117,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$88,000
Albany, NY
Lowest Paying
$65,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 19-3051. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Urban Planner salary in the United States at $84,000 in 2026, within a range of $66,000 to $104,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $117,000, while Albany offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Employer type and specialization area create the most variation.
Urban Planner salary by city.
Skills that increase Urban Planner pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Urban Planners based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $11,760 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$11,760 per year
≈ +$10,920 per year
≈ +$10,080 per year
≈ +$9,240 per year
≈ +$9,240 per year
≈ +$8,400 per year
≈ +$8,400 per year
≈ +$7,560 per year
What you should know.
Employer type and specialization area create the most variation. Planners in transportation, environmental, or economic development earn 10 to 20% more than generalists. Private consulting firms pay higher base salaries than municipalities but with less job security. AICP certification and GIS proficiency boost earning potential at all levels.
Junior planners start at $56,000 to $65,000. Senior planners with AICP certification earn $72,000 to $95,000 after five to seven years. Planning directors at municipalities reach $100,000 to $140,000, with community development directors exceeding $150,000 in large cities.
Municipal planners receive generous public benefits, pension plans, and steady 2 to 4% annual step increases. Private sector planners earn 8 to 12% bonuses tied to project billing. Some jurisdictions offer housing assistance for planners working in high-cost areas.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Urban Planners typically earn $76,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Urban Planner pay.
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