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Urban Planner Salary in the United States

How much does an Urban Planner make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Urban Planner in the United States is $55,729 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,630
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,601 to $63,529
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,752
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Urban Planner Salaries

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

How Do Urban Planners Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Urban Planners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $61,704.
  • California: $61,470.
  • Massachusetts: $60,650.

Top Paying Cities for Urban Planner

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: $70,292
  • San Francisco: $69,522
  • Oakland: $68,057

What Skills Can Increase an Urban Planner's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 43.44% 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 1.54% 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.
  • InDesign (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): nDesign is a desktop publishing software application for creating flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books. Projects created using InDesign can be shared in both digital and print formats.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 43.44%
Project Planning 1.54%
InDesign 1.16%
See More Skills

Urban Planner Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Urban Planner salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $55,729. While startup companies pay approximate $55,729.

Urban Planner Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,729
Growth Stage 51~500 $55,729
Established 501~5000 $55,729
Enterprise 5000+ $55,729

Urban Planner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Urban Planner'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 August 01, 2026
$52,601
Average $55,729/year
$63,529
$4,383
Average $4,644/month
$5,294
$1,012
Average $1,072/week
$1,222
$25
Average $27/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,529 $5,294 $1,222 $31
Average $55,729 $4,644 $1,072 $27
25th Percentile $52,601 $4,383 $1,012 $25

Most common benefits for Urban Planner

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Urban Planner job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Urban Planner

1. Where can an Urban Planner earn the most?

An Urban Planner'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, an Urban Planner earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Urban Planner is $70,292.

2. What is the highest pay for Urban Planner?

The highest pay for Urban Planner is $70,630.

3. What is the lowest pay for Urban Planner?

The lowest pay for Urban Planner is $49,752.

4. What are the responsibilities of Urban Planner?

Develops land-use plans for the beneficial development of urban areas. Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Is familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on judgment and limited experience to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a supervisor or manager. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.

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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