Urban and Regional Planners Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Urban and Regional Planners in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $129,400 a year, or about $62.21 an hour. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $111,928 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 47.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $129K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About urban and regional planners
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level urban and regional planners (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K.Top earners bring in $171K or more - a $82K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do urban and regional planners make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $129,400 a year - that works out to about $62.21 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $89,090, and experienced urban and regional planners can clear $170,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,586/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.5% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median urban and regional planners salary is worth about $111,928 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.