Urban and Regional Planners: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Life, Physical, and Social Science · SOC 19-3051 · O*NET 19-3051.00
Urban and Regional Planners fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Urban and Regional Planners earn a median salary of $89,320 per year, ranking in the top 22% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.9% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What parents should know about urban and regional planners right now
Urban and regional planners develop the long-term plans that shape neighborhoods, transportation, parks, and housing. It is a strong career for teens who care about cities, climate, equity, or design, and who like research and public service. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent employment growth from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 3,400 openings each year. The median annual wage was $83,720 in May 2024; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $55,590 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,550. Urban and regional planners typically need a master's degree in urban or regional planning, public policy, or a related field; bachelor's programs in geography, environmental studies, economics, or political science are common feeders. Most employers prefer or require certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), which requires experience plus a comprehensive exam. The American Planning Association's 2025 Trend Report highlights the issues defining the next decade: a severe housing affordability crisis (households now need roughly $47,000 more income than four years ago to afford a single-family home), climate-driven insurance and resilience challenges, and population shifts toward the South and West despite increasing climate risks. Demand for planners with skills in GIS, climate adaptation, housing finance, and community engagement is rising. Encourage civics, statistics, geography, and a teen-friendly project like mapping their own neighborhood.
What do urban and regional planners earn?
The median annual wage for urban and regional planners is $89,320. That puts urban and regional planners at #184 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is urban and regional planners a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for urban and regional planners is +3.9%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 45K positions in 2024 to 47K in 2034, a net change of 2K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become urban and regional planner?
The standard path into urban and regional planners begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about urban and regional planners
What is the median salary for urban and regional planners?
The median annual salary for urban and regional planners is $89,320 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is urban and regional planners a growing career?
BLS projects +3.9% growth for urban and regional planners from 2025 through 2035, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become urban and regional planner?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to urban and regional planners?
Related occupations within the Life, Physical, and Social Science category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.