Urban and regional planners design sustainable, livable communities by creating comprehensive land use plans and reviewing development proposals. Most positions require a master's degree in urban or regional planning. Urban planners earned a median salary of $83,720 as of May 2023, with employment projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, creating approximately 3,700 annual job openings as communities emphasize sustainable development and smart city initiatives.
If you're passionate about building sustainable, livable communities where environmental science meets urban design, urban planning offers a career path where you can make tangible impacts. Urban and regional planners shape how cities grow and adapt-balancing development needs with environmental sustainability, public health, and quality of life. From designing bike-friendly neighborhoods to reimagining aging industrial districts as green spaces, planners create the frameworks that define where and how people live, work, and thrive.
Here's what you need to know about entering this dynamic field where your environmental science background can directly influence community development.
What Does an Urban Planner Do?
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for land use in their jurisdictions. They keep communities vibrant and healthy by managing population growth, revitalizing aging infrastructure, adding schools and public services, and making communities more attractive to businesses and residents alike.
Core Responsibilities
Planners work with government officials, developers, and the public to discuss community needs and develop solutions. You'll gather and analyze data from field investigations, market research, censuses, and environmental studies to understand current conditions and future trends. Geographic information systems (GIS) become essential tools for creating maps, analyzing spatial data, and visualizing proposed changes.
A significant portion of your work involves reviewing site plans submitted by developers. You'll assess proposals for feasibility, environmental impact, and compliance with zoning regulations and building codes. This means making modifications to plans, approving proposals that meet community standards, or denying permits when projects don't align with planning goals. Some planners oversee entire project implementations from concept through completion.
Typical Projects & Examples
Your daily work varies significantly based on specialization, but might include designing a bike lane network that reduces traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, creating mixed-use development zones where residents can walk to work and shops, reviewing proposals for a new residential subdivision near protected wetlands, or developing greenway systems that connect parks while managing stormwater naturally.
These projects require balancing multiple stakeholder interests. You'll present plans to planning commissions, attend public meetings where community members voice concerns, negotiate with developers about project modifications, and coordinate with engineers, architects, and landscape architects to ensure feasible, sustainable outcomes.
Day-to-Day Work Activities
While much of a planner's time involves office work-analyzing data, creating presentations, writing reports, and meeting with stakeholders-you'll also spend time in the field. This might mean walking proposed development sites, documenting existing land conditions, photographing areas slated for revitalization, or attending community meetings in neighborhoods affected by proposed changes. The balance varies, but expect to split your time between desk work and site visits, especially early in your career.
Urban Planning Specializations
As you develop your planning career, you'll likely gravitate toward a specialization that aligns with your interests and environmental science background.
Environmental & Sustainability Planning
For environmentally focused planners, this specialization represents some of the most exciting work in the field. You'll lead initiatives that reduce urban environmental impacts while improving residents' quality of life. Typical projects include designing parks and greenway networks that manage stormwater naturally through rain gardens and bioswales, creating pedestrian and bike infrastructure that reduces vehicle emissions, developing mixed-use neighborhoods where residents can walk to work, and implementing green building standards for new construction.
You might solicit proposals for innovative technologies-integrated stormwater treatment systems, solar-powered street infrastructure, green roofs that reduce urban heat islands, LED lighting networks, or even experimental concepts like solar roadways. As sustainability becomes central to urban development, planners with environmental science backgrounds are increasingly valuable, bridging technical environmental knowledge with practical community design.
Zoning & Land Use Planning
Zoning specialists adjust land use regulations to facilitate community goals. You can adjust zoning to allow higher-density development, create mixed-use communities that combine residential, commercial, and light industrial spaces, or protect environmentally sensitive areas through conservation zoning. This work directly shapes how communities grow and where different activities occur.
Transportation Planning
Transportation planners design multimodal systems that move people efficiently while reducing environmental impacts. Projects include developing complete streets that accommodate cars, bikes, pedestrians, and transit, planning public transportation routes and infrastructure, creating bike lane networks, and analyzing traffic patterns to reduce congestion and emissions.
Economic Development Planning
These planners focus on attracting businesses, creating jobs, and revitalizing downtown areas. You'll work on brownfield redevelopment projects that transform contaminated industrial sites, downtown revitalization initiatives, business district improvements, and strategies to attract sustainable industries that align with community values.
Public Space Design
Planners specializing in public spaces design parks, plazas, greenways, and other community gathering areas. This involves understanding how people use outdoor spaces, incorporating native plantings and natural stormwater management, ensuring accessibility for all residents, and creating spaces that strengthen community connections while supporting local ecosystems.
Where Does an Urban Planner Work?
The vast majority of urban and regional planners work for federal, state, county, and city government agencies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most planners (approximately 65%) work in local government planning departments. Another 14% provide architectural, engineering, and related services for private consulting firms. 10% work in state government, and 7% work for management, scientific, and technical consulting firms.
Urban and regional planning is vital to community quality of life and economic health, which makes it a rewarding career. However, its importance also means it's on the radar of political and economic interests, and managing their competing needs can be stressful. Planners also need to manage tight deadlines, especially when development proposals require quick review or public hearings are scheduled.
Most planners keep typical business hours in office settings, though evening and weekend meetings with stakeholders, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups are occasionally required. You'll use computers extensively for GIS mapping, data analysis, and creating presentations, but you'll also spend time outdoors inspecting sites and land conditions.
Urban Planning Salary & Compensation
National Salary Overview
Urban and regional planners earned a median annual salary of $83,720 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This translates to approximately $40.25 per hour. Salaries vary significantly based on employer type, experience level, geographic location, and specialization.
Salary by Employer Type
Federal government positions offer the highest compensation, with median salaries reaching approximately $102,000 or more. Planners working in architectural, engineering, and related services for private consulting firms earned median salaries around $82,000, while those in local government-where most planners work-earned approximately $80,000. State government positions typically fall between local and federal compensation levels.
Salary Growth Over Career
Entry-level planners with master's degrees typically start between $55,000 and $65,000, depending on location and employer. Mid-career planners with 5-10 years of experience can earn $75,000 to $95,000. Senior planners and planning directors can earn $100,000 or more, especially in large metropolitan areas or high-cost-of-living regions. AICP certification often correlates with higher salaries and faster career advancement.
Job Outlook & Growth Trends
Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,700 openings for urban and regional planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of these openings result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demographic, transportation, and environmental changes will drive employment growth. Within cities, urban planners will be needed to develop revitalization projects and address issues associated with population growth, environmental degradation, the movement of people and goods, and resource scarcity. Suburban areas and municipalities will need planners to address challenges associated with population changes, including housing needs and transportation systems covering larger areas with less population density.
The increasing emphasis on developing "smart cities" with improved sustainability and integrated technology will create opportunities for planners with environmental science and technical backgrounds. However, job opportunities also depend on economic conditions-during economic downturns, planning positions may be reduced as government budgets tighten.
Education & Degree Requirements
Master's Degree Programs
Urban and regional planners typically need a master's degree from an accredited urban or regional planning program. There are scores of such programs across the U.S., and many accept students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. Common undergraduate majors for planning graduate students include geography, planning, economics, public administration, political science, landscape architecture, environmental design, and environmental science.
Master's programs typically take two years of full-time study and include coursework in land use planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, GIS technology, community development, planning law, and planning theory. Most programs require a capstone project or thesis where you apply planning principles to real-world community challenges.
Undergraduate Preparation
There are a few undergraduate programs specifically in urban planning. Undergraduate urban and regional planning courses are typically taught by geography departments. A major in geography provides excellent preparation, including related coursework in GIS, environmental issues, and spatial analysis-all valuable skills for planning careers.
If you're interested in environmental sustainability planning specifically, consider undergraduate majors in environmental science, sustainability, or environmental planning and design. These backgrounds position you well for graduate planning programs with environmental or sustainability specializations.
Gaining Experience
Experience is crucial-even some entry-level positions require it. Internships are the best way to gain experience on real-world projects while completing your degree. Many master's programs include internship requirements or opportunities with local planning departments. Seek internships that expose you to diverse planning activities-zoning review, community engagement, environmental analysis, and GIS mapping-to understand which specializations interest you most.
Related Degree Options for Urban Planners
Certification & Licensing
AICP Certification
The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) administers an optional certification for planners that demonstrates professional competence and commitment to ethical practice. AICP certification involves education and experience requirements and passing a comprehensive exam. You'll need a combination of education and professional planning experience-typically a master's degree plus two years of planning experience, or a bachelor's degree plus four years of experience.
The AICP exam covers planning history and theory, planning law, research methods, environmental planning, urban design, community development, and professional ethics. The credential must be maintained through continuing education requirements every two years. While optional, AICP certification is widely respected and can enhance career advancement opportunities.
Certified Environmental Planner (CEP)
AICP also administers a Certified Environmental Planner (AICP CEP) credential for planners specializing in environmental planning. Prerequisites for taking the exam include AICP membership and eight years of experience in environmental planning. Candidates must write an essay about each position held during those eight years, demonstrating depth of environmental planning experience. An exam fee is required, and certification needs renewal every two years through continuing education.
State Licensing Requirements
A few states require planners to be licensed through the state in addition to professional certifications. Requirements vary by state but typically involve a combination of education, experience, and passing a state exam. Check with your state's planning board or professional licensing authority for specific requirements.
Essential Skills for Urban Planners
Technical Skills
GIS proficiency is essential-you'll use systems like ArcGIS for mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization. Data analysis skills help you interpret census data, environmental studies, traffic counts, and economic indicators. You'll need strong writing abilities to create comprehensive plans, staff reports, and environmental impact assessments. Public speaking and presentation skills are crucial for presenting plans to planning commissions and community groups.
Soft Skills
Communication skills are paramount-you'll explain technical planning concepts to diverse audiences, including elected officials, developers, and community members. Collaboration and negotiation abilities help you work with stakeholders who have competing interests. Problem-solving skills enable you to balance development needs with environmental protection and community character. Patience and diplomacy are valuable when managing contentious public meetings or mediating between opposing viewpoints.
Environmental & Sustainability Knowledge
Understanding environmental regulations (NEPA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act) is essential for reviewing development proposals. Knowledge of sustainable design principles-green infrastructure, low-impact development, transit-oriented development, and climate resilience-increasingly distinguishes successful planners. Familiarity with environmental assessment processes and mitigation strategies helps you guide projects toward sustainable outcomes.
Career Advancement Pathways
Entry-Level to Senior Planner
Most planners start as assistant or associate planners, focusing on specific tasks like zoning review, development application processing, or updating comprehensive plans. After 3-5 years, you can advance to planner or senior planner positions where you manage projects, supervise staff, and represent the planning department in more complex negotiations and presentations.
Leadership Roles
Principal planners and planning managers oversee planning programs, manage teams, and set strategic planning directions. Planning directors lead entire planning departments, work directly with city councils or county commissioners, and shape long-term community vision. These positions require 10+ years of experience and typically require AICP certification.
Consulting vs. Government Track
Government planners enjoy job stability, defined benefits, and direct community impact but may experience bureaucratic constraints. Private consulting planners work on diverse projects across multiple communities, often earn higher salaries, but face less job security and may work longer hours. Many planners start in government to gain solid experience, then transition to consulting for variety and higher compensation. Others prefer the mission-driven work and community connections of public sector planning throughout their careers.
Professional Organizations & Resources
- The American Planning Association (APA) is the foremost professional association for planners in the U.S. Its Green Team shares and promotes innovative methods that improve sustainability. APA facilitates networking through conferences, events, local chapters, and special interest divisions, including an Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Division. It also offers professional development training and publishes planning-related publications such as Planning magazine and the Journal of the American Planning Association.
- The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is the American Planning Association's professional institute. It administers AICP certification and the Certified Environmental Planner (AICP CEP) credential, provides leadership through professional ethics and planning standards, and holds symposiums on diverse planning topics. AICP membership connects you with certified planners nationwide and provides access to specialized resources for career development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master's degree to become an urban planner?
Most urban planning positions require a master's degree in urban or regional planning from an accredited program. However, some entry-level positions accept bachelor's degrees in related fields like geography, environmental science, or public administration, especially if combined with planning internship experience. The master's degree has become the standard professional credential, and employers increasingly prefer or require it for advancement opportunities.
How long does it take to become an urban planner?
The typical pathway involves a four-year bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by a two-year master's program in urban or regional planning. Most master's programs also require internship experience. After graduation, you'll need 2-4 years of professional experience before becoming eligible for AICP certification. In total, expect 8-10 years from starting college to becoming a fully credentialed, experienced planner.
What's the difference between urban planning and landscape architecture?
Urban planners focus on comprehensive land use policy, zoning regulations, community development, and long-range planning at neighborhood, city, or regional scales. Landscape architects design specific outdoor spaces-parks, campuses, residential developments, streetscapes-focusing on site-specific design, planting plans, and detailed construction documents. The fields overlap, and planners and landscape architects often collaborate, but planners work more on policy and regulations while landscape architects focus on site design and implementation.
Can I work remotely as an urban planner?
Remote work possibilities have expanded, especially in private consulting firms. However, planning work still requires significant field visits to inspect sites, attend public meetings, and engage with communities. Many planners now work hybrid schedules-some days in the office or field, some days working from home on reports, analysis, and GIS work. Government planning positions typically offer less remote work flexibility than consulting positions, though this varies by jurisdiction.
What software do urban planners use?
GIS software (particularly ArcGIS and QGIS) is essential for mapping and spatial analysis. Planners also use computer-aided design (CAD) software like AutoCAD for reviewing site plans, data visualization tools for creating charts and graphics, SketchUp or similar 3D modeling tools for visualizing development proposals, and Microsoft Office suite for reports, presentations, and spreadsheets. Many jurisdictions also use specialized planning software for permit tracking and development review management.
Is urban planning a good career for environmental science majors?
Yes, urban planning is an excellent career path for environmental science majors. Your scientific background provides strong preparation for environmental planning specializations, where understanding ecological systems, environmental regulations, and sustainability principles directly enhances your effectiveness. Many master's planning programs actively seek students with environmental science backgrounds because they bring technical knowledge and quantitative skills to planning practice. Environmental planning is one of the fastest-growing planning specializations as communities increasingly prioritize climate resilience and sustainability.
How competitive is the AICP certification exam?
The AICP exam is comprehensive and requires serious preparation. Pass rates typically hover around 70-75%, meaning about one in four candidates doesn't pass on the first attempt. Most successful candidates dedicate 2-3 months to preparation, using study guides, practice exams, and study groups. The exam covers planning history and theory, planning law, environmental planning, urban design, research methods, and professional ethics. APA offers study materials and practice exams to help candidates prepare effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Master's Degree Essential: Most urban planning positions require a master's degree from an accredited planning program, though some entry-level roles accept bachelor's degrees in related fields like geography or environmental science combined with internship experience.
- Competitive Compensation: Urban planners earned a median salary of $83,720 as of May 2023, with federal government positions offering the highest compensation. Geographic location and specialization significantly impact earning potential, with senior planners and directors in major metropolitan areas earning over $100,000.
- Steady Job Growth: Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, creating approximately 3,700 annual job openings. Population growth and emphasis on sustainable "smart cities" drive demand, though opportunities correlate with economic conditions.
- Diverse Specializations: Planners can focus on environmental sustainability, transportation, zoning, economic development, or public spaces-allowing you to align your environmental science background with specific community development interests and make targeted impacts.
- Professional Certification Valuable: AICP certification demonstrates professional competence and commitment to ethical practice. While optional, it enhances career advancement opportunities and is increasingly expected for senior positions and planning director roles.
Ready to explore urban planning programs? Find master's degrees in urban and regional planning that align with your environmental science background and sustainability interests.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and 2022-2032 job growth projections for urban and regional planners reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2026.
