How to become an Urban and Regional Planner

Official title: Urban and Regional Planners

Also called: City Planner, Community Development Planner, Community Planner, Development Technician, Housing Development Specialist, Neighborhood Planner, Planner, Planning Consultant, Planning Technician, Regional Planner

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Main tasks

• 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.

How to become one

Urban and regional planners typically need a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited planning program to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer or require planners to be certified.

Typical education to start: Master's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 32 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $89,320 a year The middle half earn $72,020 to $110,030.
• About 45,800 people work in this job now, and about 47,600 are projected by 2035. (+3.9%)
• People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Urban and Regional Planner?

Urban and regional planners typically need a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited planning program to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer or require planners to be certified.

How much does an Urban and Regional Planner earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $89,320 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $72,020 to $110,030.

Is an Urban and Regional Planner a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 45,800 to about 47,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Urban and Regional Planner?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Urban and Regional Planner?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.