Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $99,270 +18.6% vs national
Median hourly $47.73
10th percentile $73,920
90th percentile $137,610
Employed locally 1,240
National median $83,720

Compare Urban and Regional Planners salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Urban and Regional Planners
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $73,920
    25th
    $80,660
    50th (median)
    $99,270
    75th
    $125,260
    90th
    $137,610

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Urban and Regional Planners salary vs area income 80% Median Urban and Regional Planners salary is 20% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Political Scientists $153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $47.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $67.78 or more per hour.

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

    The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 18.6% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Urban and Regional Planners (10th percentile) earn around $73,920 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,660.