How much does a city planner make?
Answer: A typical city planner in the United States makes $89,320 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 44,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
City planner pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,010 | $89,320 | $134,490 | about 44,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $109,610 | about 7,000 |
| Oregon | $103,070 | about 1,000 |
| Arizona | $102,400 | about 1,000 |
| Colorado | $101,340 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $100,990 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
U.S. planners may earn more with experience, in-demand skills, or AICP certification. Pay also varies by location, employer (such as a consulting firm or local government), and how complex or responsible the work is.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a city planner do?
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
What's a typical day like?
A planner might study census and site data, layer population patterns onto a digital map, and review a developer’s proposal. They may visit the site and meet residents or officials, sometimes at evening meetings.
How to get this job
U.S. planners usually earn a bachelor’s, then a planning master’s; internships help, and many start after college in their mid-20s. Most states require no license (New Jersey does); optional AICP certification needs experience and an exam.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and leading and selling.
Did you know?
City planners can use GIS to layer census data—such as how many people live in an area—onto digital maps.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/print/urban-and-regional-planne
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3051.00
- www.planning.org/aicp/
- www.planning.org/certification/eligible
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- capla.arizona.edu/academics/master-science-urban-planning
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY