All About Urban and Regional Planners
Job Description & Duties Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Urban & Regional Planner Responsibilities
- Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.
- Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.
- Investigate property availability for purposes of development.
- Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.
- Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
- Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
What Every Urban & Regional Planner Should Know
Urban and Regional Planners state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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:
- Program Services Planner
- Master Planner
- Regional Facilities Specialist
- Neighborhood Planner
- City Planning Engineer
Job Outlook for Urban and Regional Planners
There were about 36,000 jobs for Urban and Regional Planner in 2016 (in the United States). 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 different U.S. states?
| 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
How to Become an Urban & Regional Planner
Learn what Urban and Regional Planner education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become an Urban & Regional Planner?
Where Urban and Regional Planners Are Employed
Urban and Regional Planners work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Urban and Regional Planner might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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