Life, Physical & Social Science
Urban and Regional Planners
Also called: City Planner, Community Development Planner, Community Planner, Development Technician
US median pay
$89,320
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
3,200
45,800 employed
Typical entry education
Master's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
What they do day to day
- Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
- Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
- Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
- Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
- Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
- Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
- Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
- Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
- Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
- Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.1/5
- Systems Analysis4.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Negotiation3.4/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Service Orientation3.2/5
Knowledge
- Law and Government4.6/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Geography4.2/5
- Transportation4.0/5
- Communications and Media3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Master's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Master's degree56%
- Bachelor's degree40%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.