Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $81,330 -2.9% vs national
Median hourly $39.10
10th percentile $62,650
90th percentile $101,560
Employed locally 80
National median $83,720

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Urban and Regional Planners
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,650
    25th
    $76,370
    50th (median)
    $81,330
    75th
    $99,910
    90th
    $101,560

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Urban and Regional Planners salary vs area income 97% Median Urban and Regional Planners salary is 3% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Urban and Regional Planners

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $133,380
    District of Columbia $129,750
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $129,400
    Vallejo, CA $122,550
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $121,940
    Napa, CA $121,750

    Nearby metros — Urban and Regional Planners salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $129,750
    California $105,230
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $102,300
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $99,940
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $99,270
    Visalia, CA $96,450

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Agricultural Technicians $39,340
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $82,830
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,880
    Soil and Plant Scientists $86,120
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $76,220
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $44,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Urban and Regional Planners make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Des Moines, IA is $39.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.62 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Urban and Regional Planners salaries?

    The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in Des Moines, IA is 2.9% below the national median of $83,720. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Urban and Regional Planners in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Urban and Regional Planners (10th percentile) earn around $62,650 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,370.