Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Urban and regional planners typically do the following:
Urban and regional planners identify community needs and develop short- and long-term solutions to improve and revitalize communities and areas. As an area grows or changes, planners help communities manage the related economic, social, and environmental issues, such as planning new parks, sheltering the homeless, and making the region more attractive to businesses.
When beginning a project, planners often work with public officials, community members, and other groups to identify community issues and goals. Through research, data analysis, and collaboration with interest groups, they formulate strategies to address issues and to meet goals. Planners may also help carry out community plans by overseeing projects, enforcing zoning regulations, and organizing the work of the groups involved.
Urban and regional planners use a variety of tools and technology in their work. They commonly use statistical software, data visualization and presentation programs, financial spreadsheets, and other database and software programs. Geographic Information System (GIS) software is used to integrate data, such as for population density, with digital maps.
Urban and regional planners may specialize in areas such as transportation planning, community development, historic preservation, or urban design, among other fields of interest.
Planners often collaborate with public officials, civil engineers, environmental engineers, architects, lawyers, and real estate developers.
Urban and regional planners held about 41,900 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of urban and regional planners were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 68% |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 9 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 2 |
| Federal government | 2 |
Planners work throughout the country, but most work in large metropolitan areas.
Urban and regional planners may travel to inspect proposed changes and their impacts on land conditions, the environment, and land use.
Most urban and regional planners work full time during normal business hours, and some may work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups. Some planners work more than 40 hours per week.
Urban and regional planners need a master’s degree from an accredited planning program to qualify for most positions.
Urban and regional planners typically need a master's degree from an urban or regional planning program accredited by an organization such as the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). Master's degree programs accept students with a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds, including economics, geography, political science, or a related field, such as architecture.
Most master’s programs have students spending considerable time in seminars, workshops, and laboratory courses, in which they learn to analyze and solve planning problems. Although most master’s programs have a similar core curriculum, there is some variability in the courses they offer and the issues they focus on. For example, programs located in agricultural states may focus on rural planning, and programs located in larger cities may focus on urban revitalization.
Bachelor’s degree holders may qualify for jobs as assistant or junior planners.
Although not necessary for all positions, some entry-level positions require 1 to 2 years of work experience in a related field, such as architecture, public policy, or economic development. Many students gain experience through real planning projects or part-time internships while enrolled in a master’s planning program. Others enroll in full-time internships after completing their degree.
As of 2016, New Jersey was the only state that required urban and regional planners to be licensed. More information is available from the regulatory board of New Jersey.
The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) offers the AICP certification for planners. To become certified, candidates must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass an exam.
Analytical skills. Urban and regional planners analyze information and data from a variety of sources, such as market research studies, censuses, and environmental impact studies. They use statistical techniques and technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in their analyses to determine the significance of the data.
Communication skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to communicate clearly and effectively because they interact with colleagues and stakeholders, prepare research reports, give presentations, and meet with a wide variety of audiences, including public officials, interest groups, and community members.
Decisionmaking skills. Urban and regional planners must weigh all possible planning options and combine analysis, creativity, and realism to choose the appropriate action or plan.
Leadership skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to manage projects, which may include overseeing tasks and planning assignments.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for urban and regional planners was $78,500 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,340.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for urban and regional planners in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Federal government | $101,860 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 79,730 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 77,630 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 77,290 |
Most urban and regional planners work full time during normal business hours, and some may work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups. Some planners work more than 40 hours per week.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 3,800 openings for urban and regional planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demographic, transportation, and environmental changes will drive employment growth for planners.
Within cities, urban planners will be needed to develop revitalization projects and address issues associated with population growth, environmental degradation, the movement of people and goods, and resource scarcity. Similarly, suburban areas and municipalities will need planners to address the challenges associated with population changes, including housing needs and transportation systems covering larger areas with less population density.
Planners will also be needed as new and existing communities require extensive development and improved infrastructure, including housing, roads, sewer systems, parks, and schools.
However, federal, state, and local government budgets may affect the employment of planners in government, because development projects are contingent on available funds.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Urban and regional planners |
19-3051 | 41,900 | 43,500 | 4 | 1,600 | Get data | |
For more information about careers in urban and regional planning, visit
For more information about certification in urban and regional planning, visit
American Institute of Certified Planners
For more information about New Jersey licensure in planning, visit
New Jersey State Board of Professional Planners
For more information about accredited urban and regional planning programs, visit