Life, Physical & Social Science
Transportation Planners
Also called: Planner, Program Officer, Transportation Analyst, Transportation Data Programs Manager
US median pay
$101,110
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-0.2%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,700
41,500 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
What they do day to day
- Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
- Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
- Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
- Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
- Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
- Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
- Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
- Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
- Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
- Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Systems Evaluation3.8/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Systems Analysis3.5/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Operations Analysis3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
Knowledge
- Transportation4.8/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Geography3.7/5
- Law and Government3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree55%
- Master's degree45%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.