Environmental Planner- Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Planner- Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Planner- Lead in the United States is $113,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, an Environmental Planner- Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,687
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,000 to $123,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,534

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Planner- Lead Salaries

An Environmental Planner- Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Planner- Leads

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $142,800
  • San Francisco: $141,200
  • Oakland: $138,300

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Planner- Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 31.03% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Project Planning (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): Project planning is part of project management, which relates to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts to plan and subsequently report progress within the project environment. Project planning can be done manually or by the use of project management software.
  • Sustainability (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): Sustainability is a societal goal that broadly aims for humans to safely co-exist on planet Earth over a long time. Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and therefore vary in the literature and over time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 31.03%
Project Planning 1.74%
Sustainability 1.16%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Environmental Planner- Lead's salary.

  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Renewable Energy: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Development $136,972
21%
Diversity and Inclusion $132,444
17%
Renewable Energy $131,312
16%

Environmental Planner- Lead Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Environmental Planner- Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $126,506. While startup companies pay approximate $107,011.

Environmental Planner- Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $107,011
Growth Stage 51~500 $113,175
Established 501~5000 $122,157
Enterprise 5000+ $126,506

Environmental Planner- Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Planner- Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Planner- Lead positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Planner- Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Planner- Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$152,820$73.035%
Financial Services$147,160$71.030%
Pharmaceuticals$141,500$68.025%
Energy & Utilities$135,840$65.020%
Software & Networking$135,840$65.020%

How Education impacts an Environmental Planner- Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Environmental Planner- Leads enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Environmental Planner- Lead with a No Diploma is between $120,216 and $128,100).

Environmental Planner- Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Planner- Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 100.0%
High School 0.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 100.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Environmental Planner- Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Planner- Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$105,000
Average $113,200/year
$123,400
$8,750
Average $9,433/month
$10,283
$2,019
Average $2,177/week
$2,373
$50
Average $54/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,400 $10,283 $2,373 $59
Average $113,200 $9,433 $2,177 $54
25th Percentile $105,000 $8,750 $2,019 $50

Environmental Planner- Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Environmental Planner- Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Environmental Research and Oversight Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $125,230 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Environmental Planner- Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Environmental Planner- Lead

Here are companies hiring for Environmental Planner- Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Environmental Planner- Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Planner- Lead?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Planner- Lead roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. What does a lead planner do?

A Lead Planner is responsible for overseeing project programs and controls, guiding client progress meetings, and fostering strong client relationships. They develop comprehensive project plans, defining scope, timelines, and milestones. The salary for this role ranges from $117,800 to $147,200, with a midpoint of $131,800.

3. What does an environmental planner do?

Environmental planners are urban planners specializing in sustainable development. They strive to utilize land efficiently, integrating green building technologies and renewable energy into their designs while preserving ecosystems and sensitive areas. The salary for a lead environmental planner ranges from $117,800 to $147,200, with a midpoint of $131,800.

4. What is the hourly rate for a planner?

The average salary for an Environmental Planner - Lead ranges from $117,800 to $147,200 annually. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $56.61 to $70.77, depending on experience and specific role responsibilities. Entry-level positions typically start at around $56.54 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn significantly more.

5. Are planners in high demand?

Yes, planners are in high demand. Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, aligning with the average for all occupations. With an average salary range for Environmental Planner - Lead between $117,800 and $147,200, there will be about 3,600 job openings annually over the decade.

6. How much do lead planners make?

Lead Environmental Planners typically earn between $117,800 and $147,200 annually, with a median salary of around $131,800. This range reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with the role, which can vary significantly based on location and experience.

7. What is the highest salary for environmental consultant?

The highest salary for an Environmental Consultant can reach up to $147,200 per year, based on the salary data for a Lead Environmental Planner. Salaries typically range from a minimum of $117,800 to a mid-level of $131,800, depending on experience and the specific employer.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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