Occupation · SOC 19-3051
Urban and Regional Planners
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
210 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguageGeographyTransportationCommunications and Media
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareCompliance softwareDocument management softwareGraphics or photo imaging software
Representative tasks
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.Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.Investigate property availability for purposes of development.Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.Prepare reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning.Prepare, develop and maintain maps and databases.Prepare, maintain and update files and records, including land use data and statistics.Research, compile, analyze and organize information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects.Respond to public inquiries and complaints.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Standard zoning and land-use ordinances — read and apply to assigned cases under a senior planner's review.GIS basics and parcel data — produce maps and summaries from a city or county dataset.Site plans and development applications — review for completeness against the local checklist.Public-meeting notices and packet preparation — produce to the jurisdiction's deadline.Census and ACS data — retrieve, clean, and present for assigned briefs.Field reconnaissance and parcel walks — conduct safely and document for staff review.Planning-staff reports on routine cases — draft to the office's template under supervision.Community-engagement events — staff and capture notes for senior facilitators.Zoning code amendments — redline against the jurisdiction's drafting conventions.Comprehensive-plan documents — read and summarize for incoming briefings.
developing
Independent case review on routine applications — manage from intake through staff recommendation.Public hearings and planning-commission appearances — staff with prepared analysis and presentations.Sub-area, corridor, or neighborhood plans — contribute substantively under a senior planner's lead.Project management for $50K–$500K consulting or grant engagements — manage at task level.Environmental review (NEPA, SEPA, local CEQA) — prepare or contribute to documents.Transportation impact analyses and mode-share studies — contribute with engineering partners.Stakeholder interviews and public-engagement design — lead for routine projects.Junior planners, interns, and AICP candidates — train on case management and report writing.Zoning- and development-code amendments — author for council adoption under supervision.Equity-and-affordability analyses — produce with appropriate datasets and methodology.
proficient
Comprehensive plans, climate action plans, and major area plans — lead through adoption and implementation.Multi-disciplinary project teams (engineering, environmental, public health) — lead with budget and schedule control.Complex entitlements and PUDs — negotiate independently with developers, council, and the public.Public-engagement strategies (equity-centered, multi-lingual, hybrid) — design and execute on signature projects.Departmental policies and procedures — author and steward through internal change.Council and commission deliberations — staff with confident technical and policy recommendations.Junior planners and senior associates — supervise across a small team.Funded grants (FHWA, EDA, HUD) — win and steward at PI level.Conferences and professional communities (APA, ULI) — contribute through panels and writing.Audits and program evaluations — lead with credible methodology and defensible findings.
advanced
Planning director or principal-in-charge leadership — set direction across staff, projects, and council relationships.Regional and state policy initiatives — lead with elected officials, agencies, and coalitions.Major capital and growth-management decisions — advise executives and councils with rigorous tradeoff analysis.Talent development and AICP pipeline — own succession, mentorship, and certification across the office.Public-engagement standards — institutionalize across the department and partner agencies.Equity and climate policy — advance through coalitions and statewide initiatives.Standards bodies (APA, AICP, ULI) — contribute through committee and board leadership.Cross-jurisdictional negotiations — lead on housing, transportation, and resource sharing.Workforce-of-the-future planning practice — redefine through hiring, training, and tooling.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through accredited training and credentialing.
Also known as
42 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Community Development PlannerCity DesignerTraffic ExpertInfluence Chief (Marine Corps 1795)Regional Economic LiaisonPlanning ConsultantPlannerSustainable Communities DesignerPlanning TechnicianCivil Affairs Specialist (Marine Corps 1732)Urban PlannerHousing Development SpecialistRegional Transfer LiaisonCity Planning AideNeighborhood PlannerCivil Affairs Noncommissioned Officer (Marine Corps 0531)Housing Grant AnalystTown PlannerEconomic Development CoordinatorCommunity PlannerCity PlannerProgram Services PlannerSustainable Development Policy AnalystPlanning OfficialCommunity Planning TechnicianLand Use PlannerInfluence Specialist (Marine Corps 1751)Community Development TechnicianDevelopment TechnicianDeveloper AdvocateCity Planning EngineerRegional Facilities SpecialistOccupancy PlannerPlanning SpecialistHousing LiaisonPlanner, Program ServicesCivil Affairs Specialist (Army 38B)Campus PlannerUrban DesignerRegional Planner