City Planner Salary: What Can You Expect to Earn?

If you’re passionate about urban development and tackling issues that impact your community, then a career as a city planner may be perfect for you! As a city planner, you’ll develop and review site plans as you shape the use of land in your city. You’ll also be at the heart of collaboration between community members, public officials, and developers.

While this career may be right up your alley, you may have more questions. An important one is: what salary can you expect to earn as a city planner? As with any industry, many factors can impact your potential earnings. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect as a future city planner.

Key Takeaways

• • City planners earn a median annual salary of $83,720 in the U.S., but that amount varies based on experience level, location, and sector.
  • The average city planner salary increases as you gain years of experience, particularly once you progress into senior or leadership roles.
  • Pursuing a master’s degree and joining professional associations can help you increase your potential earnings as a mid-career city planner.

Average City Planner Salary in the U.S.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 median annual salary for a city planner (a type of urban and regional planner) was $83,720. While that is the median salary overall, the highest 10% of city planners earned over $128,550 annually.

What Factors Affect a City Planner’s Salary?

Numerous factors may impact city or urban planner salary, such as your location, experience level, sector, and education level. For example, cities with more job openings than city planners may have higher starting salaries than areas with fewer positions available. Additionally, some sectors pay more on average, such as roles in local government or architectural planning.

City Planner Salary by Experience Level

Experience level plays a major role in your salary expectations as a city planner. While your salary may be closer to the median at the beginning of your career, your potential earnings can increase as you gain additional experience in the field. According to salaries reported on Glassdoor, you can expect the following salaries at different points in your career:

Entry-Level City Planner Salary

The reported salary range for entry-level city planner jobs is between $64,000 and $100,000, with a median salary of $79,000. At this level, you most likely have less than a year of work or internship experience in the field.

Mid-Career City Planner Salary

For those with about four to six years of urban planning experience, reported salaries range from $73,000 to $118,000 annually. While the median salary sits at $93,000 at this level, this amount might vary based on your location or sector.

Senior City Planner Salary

Indeed reports an average salary of $95,844 for senior city planners, with those on the higher end earning up to $134,569 annually. Glassdoor reports a similar range for city planners with seven to nine years of experience.

City Planner Salary by Location

As previously mentioned, another important factor in setting your salary expectations is where you plan to work. Particularly with a field like city planning, your location plays a major role in employment opportunities and typical salaries.

Highest-Paying States

Among the United States and the District of Columbia, the highest annual wages for city planners are as follows:

1. District of Columbia (DC): $129,750
2. California: $105,230
3. Washington: $98,190
4. Colorado: $96,810
5. Connecticut: $94,960

Highest-Paying Cities or Metropolitan Areas

After considering what states offer the highest salaries, you may also evaluate the median annual salaries for city planners in cities or metropolitan areas. As a city planner, you can earn the highest annual median wage in the following Californian cities:

1. San Jose: $133,380
2. San Francisco: $129,400
3. Vallejo: $122,550
4. Santa Rosa: $121,940
5. Napa: $121,750

City Planner Salary in Ohio

In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an annual median wage of $74,340 for city planners in Ohio. However, some metropolitan areas showed higher median salaries, including:

• Columbus, OH: $75,500
• Cincinnati, OH: $78,680
• Dayton, OH: $83,450

Job Outlook and Career Growth Potential

The job outlook for city planners is on par with other occupations, with employment projected to grow 4% by 2033. The major factors that drive employment growth are demographic, environmental, and transportation changes.

City planners take on the task of building new communities as well as spearheading projects in existing communities. From handling population growth to creating affordable housing options, city planners will continue to be at the helm of many urban development initiatives.

How to Increase Your Earning Potential as a City Planner

When looking at median annual salaries, it’s important to remember that these averages can vary. Furthermore, if you’re dedicated to your career and professional development, then you’ll have even more opportunities to increase your earning potential! But how?

One of the biggest ways you can improve your salary prospects is through involvement in professional associations. Many associations focus on urban and city planning, such as the American Planning Association (APA), and can be advantageous in building your career. Organizations like APA offer opportunities for networking, education, and certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

However, if you’re serious about advancing your career, earning your master’s degree in city planning is your next big step! At the University of Cincinnati, our Master of City Planning program is geared toward experienced city planners and offered 100% online. For mid-career professionals, a master’s degree will help you avoid career stagnancy—and prepare you to take on high-paying leadership roles in your field.

Want to Learn More About UC’s Online Master of City Planning? Contact Us Today for Personalized Support

If you’re passionate about city planning but not sure where to go next in your career, let UC help! It’s okay if you still have questions—luckily, we’ve got answers.

Your first step is to contact us today! Your Enrollment Services Advisor is here to offer personalized support as you begin your city planning journey with UC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a city planner a good career?

It absolutely can be! For people who want to improve their community and collaborate on urban planning projects, a career as a city planner is an excellent option.

Where do city planners make the most money?

The highest paid city planners work in the District of Columbia, California, Washington, Colorado, and Connecticut. In California, metropolitan areas such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Napa pay particularly well.

Which degree is best for a city planner?

The most beneficial undergraduate degrees for city planners include architecture, business, and social science. However, many city planners also hold a master’s degree in urban and regional planning or a related field.