Urban and Regional Planners Salary in California
Urban and Regional Planners in California make a median of $105,230 a year, or about $50.59 an hour. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $160K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $105K get you in California?
About urban and regional planners
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level urban and regional planners (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K.Top earners bring in $160K or more - a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Urban and Regional Planners pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $130K | +55% | 140 |
| California | $105K | +26% | 7,630 |
| Washington | $98K | +17% | 2,840 |
| Connecticut | $95K | +13% | 380 |
| New York | $95K | +13% | 2,100 |
| Oregon | $92K | +10% | 1,100 |
| Minnesota | $92K | +10% | 830 |
| Nevada | $89K | +6% | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $88K | +5% | 1,570 |
| Maryland | $87K | +4% | 800 |
| Alaska | $86K | +3% | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $86K | +3% | 190 |
| New Jersey | $85K | +1% | 750 |
| North Dakota | $84K | +1% | 80 |
| Kansas | $84K | -0% | 350 |
Track urban and regional planners salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do urban and regional planners make in California?
The median is $105,230 a year - that works out to about $50.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,710, and experienced urban and regional planners can clear $159,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,374/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 34.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a urban and regional planners salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median urban and regional planners salary is worth about $105,230 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do urban and regional planners get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.