What Does it Take to Be a Transportation Planner?
Job Description & Duties Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
Life As a Transportation Planner: What Do They Do?
- Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
- Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
- Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
- Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
- Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
- Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
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What Every Transportation Planner Should Know
These are the skills Transportation Planners say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Transportation Planner
- Traffic Incident Management Manager
- Transportation Modeler
- Planner
- Transportation Planner
- Transportation Management Consultant
Job Opportunities for Transportation Planners
In the United States, there were 42,100 jobs for Transportation Planner in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,800 new jobs for Transportation Planner by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Transportation Planner are Utah, Vermont, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, South Dakota, or South Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Transportation Planner Make?
Transportation Planners make between $50,610 and $126,060 a year.
Transportation Planners who work in Virginia, Maryland, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Transportation Planners make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $84,890 |
| Alaska | $74,550 |
| Arizona | $83,830 |
| Arkansas | $71,970 |
| California | $78,970 |
| Colorado | $81,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,930 |
| Delaware | $67,990 |
| District of Columbia | $102,300 |
| Florida | $78,510 |
| Georgia | $86,810 |
| Hawaii | $94,440 |
| Idaho | $57,570 |
| Illinois | $78,140 |
| Indiana | $82,010 |
| Kansas | $83,440 |
| Kentucky | $71,870 |
| Louisiana | $72,880 |
| Maine | $74,750 |
| Maryland | $98,920 |
| Massachusetts | $80,210 |
| Michigan | $75,380 |
| Minnesota | $94,380 |
| Mississippi | $70,590 |
| Missouri | $70,180 |
| Montana | $70,380 |
| Nevada | $79,120 |
| New Hampshire | $91,030 |
| New Jersey | $88,350 |
| New Mexico | $79,880 |
| New York | $84,940 |
| North Carolina | $73,420 |
| North Dakota | $68,190 |
| Ohio | $77,450 |
| Oklahoma | $74,190 |
| Oregon | $76,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,400 |
| South Carolina | $74,050 |
| South Dakota | $68,980 |
| Tennessee | $61,800 |
| Texas | $80,430 |
| Utah | $67,320 |
| Vermont | $81,360 |
| Virginia | $110,090 |
| Washington | $77,850 |
| West Virginia | $73,480 |
| Wisconsin | $73,870 |
| Wyoming | $67,870 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Transportation Planners
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Transportation Planners may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- SAS
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Bentley Microstation
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
How do I Become a Transportation Planner?
Learn what Transportation Planner education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Transportation Planner?
Where Transportation Planners Work
Below are examples of industries where Transportation Planners work:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Transportation Planner may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Transportation Planner sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Manfred Werner (Tsui) via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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