To become an urban planner in the US you usually need a master's degree in urban and regional planning, often after a bachelor's in a related subject such as architecture, social science or business. In the UK the job is called town planner, and you can qualify through a degree accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute or a Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
Planners decide where the housing, schools, parks and roads of the next twenty years should go. It's a job that sits between the public, developers and elected officials, and it's mostly a public sector career. If you like maps, policy and long arguments about what a neighbourhood should look like, you'll fit right in.
I've built this guide from two official sources read as of October 2026: the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for urban and regional planners, and the National Careers Service profile for town planners in England. It covers both countries because the routes are quite different.
Urban planner jobs and pay at a glance
| Measure | US figure (BLS) |
|---|---|
| Jobs in 2025 | 45,800 |
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $89,320 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 4%, about as fast as average |
| Openings each year | About 3,200 |
| Largest employer | Local government, with 74% of jobs |
Those are national figures as of October 2026. BLS projects employment rising from 45,800 to 47,600 over the decade, so most of the openings come from people retiring or changing careers rather than from new posts.
The US route, step by step
- Get a bachelor's degree. Master's programs don't usually ask for one particular subject, but BLS says a background in architecture, social science, business or a related field helps.
- Do a master's in urban and regional planning. That's the typical entry qualification, and BLS points to accredited planning programs. Some roles take a bachelor's from an accredited program, but the master's is the norm.
- Get experience early. Internships with a city or county planning department are the obvious place to start, because local government is where most of the jobs are.
- Consider certification. BLS says employers may prefer or require planners to be certified, and it points readers to CareerOneStop for the details.
The UK route: becoming a town planner
The National Careers Service lists three main ways in. Which one suits you depends on whether you've already got a degree.
- An accredited degree or postgraduate course. Look for one accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. If your first degree is in an unrelated subject, a postgraduate planning qualification gets you there.
- A degree apprenticeship. The Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship mixes on-the-job training with university study and can take around 5 years. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent.
- Start as a town planning assistant. With your employer's backing you can study part time or by distance learning towards an accredited qualification while you work.
Work experience matters on both sides of the Atlantic. The National Careers Service suggests looking at firms listed by the Royal Town Planning Institute or asking your local council about openings.
Who hires planners and who pays most
Local government employs 74% of US urban and regional planners, with state government and engineering firms some way behind. The pay order is the other way round. These are BLS May 2025 medians, as of October 2026:
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Architectural, engineering and related services | $102,740 |
| Management, scientific and technical consulting | $93,220 |
| State government | $91,060 |
| Local government | $85,980 |
So the private consultancies that prepare plans for developers tend to pay more than the councils that approve them. Plenty of planners move between the two over a career.
What the work looks like
The National Careers Service gives a good list of the projects a town planner works on. You could:
- plan for housing, schools and energy sites such as wind farms
- conserve old buildings and archaeological sites
- redesign urban spaces and develop parks, woodlands and waterways
- write local, regional or national planning policies
- check that planning applications follow the rules
- attend planning inquiries, hearings and appeals
Most US planners work full time, but BLS notes that evenings and weekends come with the job because that's when planning commissions and neighbourhood groups meet. You may also travel to inspect sites, and in the UK a driving licence can help for site visits.
Planning decisions are made by councillors, and the councillor career guide explains the role.
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Is it worth it?
It's steady rather than fast-growing, and it's one of the few public sector careers in the US with a median of $89,320. Planning decisions also last for decades, so you'll see the results of your work in the streets and parks around you, which is something many office jobs can't offer. The catch is the long route in: a master's in the US, or around 5 years on the UK apprenticeship. If design is the part that draws you, compare it with how to become an architect. If it's land and measurement, my guide on how to become a surveyor is a good next read.
My verdict
Urban planning rewards patience. Pick a bachelor's that gives you a mix of design, social science or business, then aim for an accredited master's, and get into a council planning office as early as you can. In the UK, the Level 7 apprenticeship lets you earn while you qualify, and that's hard to beat.
Maps sit at the heart of planning, so see the cartographer career guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a master's degree to be an urban planner?
In the US it's the usual route. BLS says planners typically need a master's degree in urban and regional planning or a related field, although some roles accept a bachelor's from an accredited planning program.
How much do urban planners make?
BLS lists a median annual wage of $89,320 for urban and regional planners in May 2025, as of October 2026. The median in architectural and engineering services was $102,740.
Can you become a town planner through an apprenticeship?
Yes. The National Careers Service lists a Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, which can take around 5 years and combines work with university study.
Who employs most urban planners?
Local government. BLS says it employed 74% of US urban and regional planners in 2025.
What does a town planner do?
The National Careers Service says town planners plan for housing, schools and energy sites, conserve old buildings, write planning policies and check that applications follow the rules.
