Urban and Regional Planners in Pennsylvania
Considering working as an Urban and Regional Planners in Pennsylvania? Here’s what you need to know. Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
What do Urban and Regional Planners Make in Pennsylvania?
For urban and regional planners working in Pennsylvania, the typical annual salary is $75,250 per year (or roughly $36.18/hour).Pay can range from $48,670 at the 10th percentile to $106,710 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| 25th percentile | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Median (50th) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| 75th percentile | $87,410 | $42.02 |
| 90th percentile | $106,710 | $51.31 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Pennsylvania nationwide is 0.65, meaning fewer urban and regional planners per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, urban and regional planners earn a median of $66,890 per year ($32.16/hour), exceeding the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 48,684 urban and regional planners across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 1,090 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 400 urban and regional planners.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Urban and Regional Planners
The metro areas below employ the most urban and regional planners in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 600 | $79,050 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 200 | $76,030 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 80 | $77,700 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 40 | $61,930 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 40 | $76,300 |
| Lancaster, PA | 40 | $75,870 |
| Reading, PA | 40 | $79,210 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 40 | $62,980 |
Top States for Urban and Regional Planners Employment
The table below shows the states where the most urban and regional planners work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 7,630 |
| Washington | 2,840 |
| Florida | 2,640 |
| Texas | 2,150 |
| New York | 2,100 |
| Virginia | 1,710 |
| North Carolina | 1,640 |
| Massachusetts | 1,570 |
| Colorado | 1,260 |
| Illinois | 1,190 |
| Arizona | 1,110 |
| Oregon | 1,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,090 |
| Michigan | 1,070 |
| Georgia | 1,070 |
| Wisconsin | 830 |
| Minnesota | 830 |
| Maryland | 800 |
| New Jersey | 750 |
| Ohio | 660 |
Highest-Paying States for Urban and Regional Planners
Where urban and regional planners earn the most: urban and regional planners.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,750 |
| California | $105,230 |
| Washington | $98,190 |
| Colorado | $96,810 |
| Connecticut | $94,960 |
| New York | $94,740 |
| Oregon | $92,400 |
| Minnesota | $91,810 |
| Nevada | $88,750 |
| Massachusetts | $88,030 |
Skills
Top urban and regional planners skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for urban and regional planners, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Urban and Regional Planners typically:
- Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
- Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
- Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
- Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
- Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
- Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
- Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
- Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
- Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
- Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
- Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.
- Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Sustainability Science
- Design for Human Health
- Urban & Regional Planning
- Real Estate Development
- Environmental Design
- Urban Studies
- Public Administration
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like urban and regional planners include:
- Water Resource Specialists
- Emergency Management Directors
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
- Project Management Specialists
- Management Analysts
Also Known As
Campus Planner, City Designer, City Planner, City Planning Engineer, Community Development Planner, Community Development Technician, Community Planner, Community Planning Technician, Developer Advocate, Development Technician, Economic Developer, Economic Development Coordinator, Housing Development Specialist, Housing Grant Analyst, Housing Liaison.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-3051.00
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