Life As an Urban and Regional Planner
Urban & Regional Planner Definition Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
List of Urban & Regional Planner Job Duties
- Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.
- Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.
- Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
- Advocate for sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.
- Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density.
- Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
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What an Urban & Regional Planner Should Know
When polled, Urban and Regional Planners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Regional Facilities Specialist
- Urban Design Consultant
- Urban Renewal Manager
- City Designer
- Community Planner
Job Outlook for Urban and Regional Planners
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 36,000 jobs in the United States for Urban and Regional Planner. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,600 new jobs for Urban and Regional Planner by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,500 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Urban & Regional Planner are Utah, West Virginia, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maryland, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Urban and Regional Planners Make A Lot Of Money?
Urban and Regional Planners make between $45,180 and $114,170 a year.

Urban and Regional Planners who work in District of Columbia, California, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Urban and Regional Planners make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $59,630 |
Alaska | $83,630 |
Arizona | $70,860 |
Arkansas | $53,750 |
California | $93,790 |
Colorado | $75,610 |
Connecticut | $79,500 |
Delaware | $64,120 |
District of Columbia | $110,100 |
Florida | $72,910 |
Georgia | $60,270 |
Hawaii | $76,230 |
Idaho | $61,320 |
Illinois | $74,420 |
Indiana | $56,800 |
Iowa | $66,160 |
Kansas | $67,370 |
Kentucky | $53,330 |
Louisiana | $71,570 |
Maine | $67,730 |
Maryland | $77,750 |
Massachusetts | $81,660 |
Michigan | $65,390 |
Minnesota | $73,330 |
Mississippi | $57,330 |
Missouri | $71,080 |
Montana | $58,600 |
Nebraska | $68,490 |
Nevada | $81,300 |
New Hampshire | $62,430 |
New Jersey | $74,120 |
New Mexico | $59,980 |
New York | $76,730 |
North Carolina | $66,650 |
North Dakota | $72,310 |
Ohio | $69,950 |
Oklahoma | $62,860 |
Oregon | $81,590 |
Pennsylvania | $67,720 |
Rhode Island | $74,510 |
South Carolina | $64,700 |
South Dakota | $56,780 |
Tennessee | $60,030 |
Texas | $69,070 |
Utah | $67,660 |
Vermont | $60,780 |
Virginia | $73,770 |
Washington | $81,250 |
West Virginia | $57,170 |
Wisconsin | $69,840 |
Wyoming | $63,380 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Urban and Regional Planners
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Urban and Regional Planners:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- Structured query language SQL
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Extensible markup language XML
Becoming an Urban & Regional Planner
What education is needed to be an Urban and Regional Planner?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Urban & Regional Planner?

Where do Urban and Regional Planners Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Urban and Regional Planner might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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