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Transportation Planner

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All About Transportation Planners

Transportation Planner Job Description Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.

Daily Life Of a Transportation Planner

  • Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
  • Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
  • Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
  • Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
  • Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
  • Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.

Transportation Planner Required Skills

These are the skills Transportation Planners say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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
  • Transit Planning Director
  • Traffic Analyst
  • Transportation Analyst
  • Seaport Planning Manager

Job Outlook 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.

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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.

Transportation Planner Average Salary

The salary for Transportation Planners ranges between about $50,610 and $126,060 a year.

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Transportation Planners who work in Virginia, Maryland, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Transportation Planners 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

What Tools do Transportation Planners Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Transportation Planners:

  • 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

Becoming a Transportation Planner

Learn what Transportation Planner education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Transportation Planners?

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Below are examples of industries where Transportation Planners work:

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Those thinking about becoming a Transportation Planner might also be interested in the following careers:

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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