Urban and Regional Planners Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $103,090 +23.1% vs national
Median hourly $49.56
10th percentile $76,400
90th percentile $134,210
Employed locally 730
National median $83,720

Compare Urban and Regional Planners salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Urban and Regional Planners
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,400
    25th
    $86,210
    50th (median)
    $103,090
    75th
    $120,170
    90th
    $134,210

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Urban and Regional Planners salary vs area income 101% Median Urban and Regional Planners salary is 1% above 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $133,380
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $129,400
    Vallejo, CA $122,550
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $121,940
    Napa, CA $121,750
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $109,000

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Urban and Regional Planners make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Urban and Regional Planners in San Diego, CA is $49.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.83 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Urban and Regional Planners salaries?

    The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in San Diego, CA is 23.1% above 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Urban and Regional Planners (10th percentile) earn around $76,400 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,210.