Planning Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Planning Director make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Planning Director in the United States is $158,450 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

However, a Planning Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $183,882
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,100 to $171,762
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $129,125
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View as table View as graph 25% $143,100 10% $129,125 90% $183,882 75% $171,762 $158,450 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Planning Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $171,762 $14,314 $3,303 $83
Average $158,450 $13,204 $3,047 $76
25th Percentile $143,100 $11,925 $2,752 $69
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Key Factors That Influence Planning Director Salaries

A Planning Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Planning Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Planning Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $149,057
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $150,431
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $152,264
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,555
  • Expert (over 8 years): $156,846
Levels Salary
Entry Level Planning Director$149,057
Intermediate Level Planning Director$150,431
Senior Level Planning Director$152,264
Specialist Level Planning Director$154,555
Expert Level Planning Director$156,846
$149,057 0 yr
$150,431 < 2 yrs
$152,264 2-4 yrs
$154,555 5-8 yrs
$156,846 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Planning Directors

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: $199,853
  • San Francisco: $197,888
  • Oakland: $193,499

What Skills Can Increase a Planning Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 53.68% 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.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.29% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Advertising (Mentioned in 0.92% Job Postings): Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea.:465 Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message. It differs from personal selling in that the message is non-personal, i.e., not directed to a particular individual.:661,672 Advertising is communicated through various mass media, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of the message in a medium is referred to as an advertisement, or "ad" or advert for short. Commercial ads often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding", which associates a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, ads that intend to elicit an immediate sale are known as direct-response advertising. Non-commercial entities that advertise more than consumer products or services include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may use free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. Advertising may also help to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 53.68%
Microsoft Office 1.29%
Advertising 0.92%
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 a Planning Director's salary.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Management Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Conflict Resolution: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Emotional Intelligence
$194,894
23%
Management Skills
$183,802
16%
Conflict Resolution
$182,218
15%
Partnering
$180,633
14%
Sustainability
$179,049
13%
Business Administration
$177,464
12%
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How Education impacts a Planning Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Planning Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Planning Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $171,423 and $187,863).

Planning Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Planning Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 3.7%
Associates 2.4%
Bachelors 33.3%
Masters 56.3%
Doctorate 3.5%
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Planning Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Planning Director'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 April 01, 2026

Planning Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Planning Director, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Planning Director Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Business Operations Strategy Director $216,780 37%
Digital Transformation Director $199,053 26%
Strategic Planning Director $218,659 38%

Salary Trends for Planning Director

Salaries for a Planning Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $170,970 in 2023 to around $165,613 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Planning Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Planning Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$170,970
2024
$169,137
2025
$165,613
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $170,970
2024 $169,137
2025 $165,613
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Planning Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Planning Director

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FAQ about Planning Director

1. Where can a Planning Director earn the most?

A Planning Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Planning Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Planning Director is $199,853.

2. What is the highest pay for Planning Director?

The highest pay for Planning Director is $183,882.

3. What is the lowest pay for Planning Director?

The lowest pay for Planning Director is $129,125.

4. What are the responsibilities of Planning Director?

Directs and oversees the patient service planning function for a hospital or healthcare system. Performs analysis of trends in healthcare and makes recommendations for new services or changes in existing services. Supports feasibility analysis and new program planning. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience.

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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