Urban and Regional Planner Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $123,318 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $120,931 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $112,975 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $109,793 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $105,019 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $103,428 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $101,837 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $99,450 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $97,063 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $91,494 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $91,494 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $90,698 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $89,107 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $87,516 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $87,516 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $85,925 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $83,538 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $83,538 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $81,151 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $81,151 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $79,560 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $79,560 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $78,764 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $78,764 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $77,969 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $75,582 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $75,582 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $73,991 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $73,991 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $73,991 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $73,195 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $73,195 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $72,400 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $71,604 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $70,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $70,013 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $70,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $70,013 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $70,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $70,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $69,217 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $69,217 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $69,217 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $68,422 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $67,626 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $67,626 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $66,830 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $66,035 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $66,035 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $63,648 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $62,057 | -22.0% | High |
A Urban and Regional Planner's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Urban and Regional Planners typically earn $51,466–$65,570 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $97,304–$108,983 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Urban and Regional Planner role currently has high demand in the job market with a 4.1% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Science sector.
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What is the average salary for a Urban and Regional Planner?The average salary for a Urban and Regional Planner in the United States is $79,560 per year, with a median of $75,950.
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What is the starting salary for a Urban and Regional Planner?Entry-level Urban and Regional Planners typically earn between $51,466 and $65,570 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Urban and Regional Planners the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Urban and Regional Planners the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Urban and Regional Planner make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $79,560, a Urban and Regional Planner earns approximately $38.25 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Urban and Regional Planner a good career in 2026?Yes — the Urban and Regional Planner role has high demand with 4.1% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.