The median annual wage for urban and regional planners was $68,220 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,940, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,200.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for urban and regional planners in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Architectural, engineering, and related services
$70,480
State government, excluding education and hospitals
69,350
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
67,170
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
62,130
Most planners work during standard business hours, but many also work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, or neighborhood groups. In 2014, about 1 in 5 planners worked more than 40 hours per week.
Urban and Regional Planners
Median annual wages, May 2015
Social scientists and related workers
$72,570
Urban and regional planners
$68,220
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition
Interesting Fact
The word "salary" comes from salarium, or "salt money" and was used in ancient Rome to describe the wages paid to Roman legionnaires who were compensated in salt.