The "median" planner is 42 years old, has been in the field for 13 years, specializes in community development and redevelopment, and earns $64,000. States with highest salaries are D.C., California and New Jersey.
APA has published the summary results of the 2006 Planners Salary Survey -- "the most comprehensive look at compensation and benefits in the profession." Results are based on responses by more than 10,000 APA members.
Most data, including a salary calculator, is available only to APA members, but a useful five-page summary of the overal survey data is also available. Among the highlights:
- Total compensation in 2004 was $62,000, and in 2006 it is $65,000, with $51,000 being the 25th percentile (25% earn less) and $86,100 being the 75th percentile.
- The typical (median) planner is 42 years old and has been in the planning field for 13 years.
- Almost all planners indicated an area of specialization, the most common being community development and redevelopment (49%) and land-use or code enforcement (42%).
- Highest salaries for planners are offered by law firms, development firms, and the federal government.
- 64% of planners work in the city, 22% in the suburbs, and 14% in small town/rural settings.
- In 2004, females earned 86 cents on the dollar, whereas earnings in 2006 are at 88 cents on the dollar. The gender gap grows with increasing experience.
FULL STORY: APA Salary Survey
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.
The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.
Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont