Urban Planner

What is this job like?		Back to Top

City planners figure out the best way to use the land in cities and neighborhoods. They report on the best location for houses, stores, and parks. They try to solve many problems, such as too much traffic and increases in air pollution. Planners want to make sure that people can get to a bus or subway. They need to plan where people should drive their cars and where they can park.

Planners make new plans when more people move into a community. They might tell community leaders that they need new schools or roads.

Planners are also concerned about saving the wetlands and trees. They try to find safe places for getting rid of trash.

Before making plans for a community, planners need to know where everything is. They find out how many people use the streets, highways, water, sewers, schools, libraries, museums, and parks. Planners listen to the advice of people who live in the communities. With these and many other facts, they explain their new plans. They tell how much the changes will cost.

Planners use computers all the time. They make reports and draw new maps showing changes for the future.

City planners spend much of their time in offices. They also spend time outside to learn more about the areas that are changing.

Most planners work 40 hours per week. Sometimes they go to meetings in the evening or on weekends. Sometimes they have meetings with the people whose neighborhoods will be changed.

Planners have to work quickly to get their work finished because they have many other plans to make. Sometimes different groups do not agree with the plans for their community.

How do you get ready?		Back to Top

Most employers seek persons who have a master's degree in city planning or urban design. Sometimes employers will hire persons who have worked as a planner for a long time. A bachelor's degree is good to have when someone is looking for their first job. Persons who are interested in becoming a city planner should take courses in computer science and statistics.

Persons who are interested in becoming a city planner also should learn how to use a computer.

Local government planning offices often hire college students to work during the summer. Students can learn a great deal before they get their first job after they graduate.

To become a certified planner, persons must take the right amount of classes. They must work in a planning office and pass a test. Planners must be able to speak and write well. They must be good at making things fit in place so that everyone can shop, work, and go to school.

How much does this job pay?		Back to Top

In May 2008, urban and regional planners had average yearly wages of $62,400.

How many jobs are there?		Back to Top

Urban and regional planners held about 38,400 jobs in 2008. Most of them worked for local governments. Some planners work for private architecture and engineering companies. Others work in State governments.

What about the future?		Back to Top

The number of jobs for planners is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018. Most of their work will result from population growth. Most new jobs will be in rapidly expanding communities.

Are there other jobs like this?		Back to Top

• Architects
• City managers
• Civil engineers
• Community development directors
• Environmental engineers
• Landscape architects
• Social scientists (geographers)

Where can you find more information?		Back to Top

More BLS information about urban and regional planners can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

Last Modified Date: March 19, 2010