Based on recent salary data, states such as California, New York, and Washington tend to offer the highest annual salaries for urban planners. For instance, in California, cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles report average salaries of approximately $103,160 and $100,679 respectively, reflecting the high cost of living and demand for urban planning expertise in these metropolitan areas. New York also offers competitive salaries around $84,779, while in Washington, cities like Seattle provide averages near $84,894. These figures indicate that urban planners working in major urban centers within these states are compensated more generously, often due to the complexity of projects, population density, and regional economic factors. Overall, states with large, economically vibrant cities tend to pay urban planners the most, making California, New York, and Washington top choices for those seeking higher salaries in this profession.