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Urban and Regional Planners

Did You Know:

  • Local governments employ about 66 percent of urban and regional planners.
  • Employment is projected to grow 19 percent, which is faster than the average.
  • Most new jobs will be in affluent, rapidly growing communities.
  • Job prospects will be best for those with a master's degree; bachelor's degree holders with additional skills in GIS or mapping may find entry-level positions, but advancement opportunities are limited.

Industry Areas

  • Local Government (excluding schools and hospitals)
  • Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
  • State Government (excluding schools and hospitals)

Day-to-Day Tasks

  • Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
  • Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
  • Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.

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Overall Kind of Work

Urban and regional planners develop long- and short-term plans for the use of land and the growth and revitalization of urban, suburban and rural communities and the region in which they are locat...

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Work Environment

Civilian

Urban and regional planners often travel to sites intended for development or regulation to inspect the features of the land. Those involved in site development inspections may spend most of their...

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Workweek Breakdown

The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 85.19% (40 Hours)
  • 9.94% (41-49 Hours)
  • 4.87% (Over 50 Hours)

This data also pertains to Urban and Regional Planners(19-3051)

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: High
People: Medium
Things: Low

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: High
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Medium
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Low
Math & Science Skills: High
Technology Design & Control: Medium
Leadership: Medium

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: Medium
Exposure to Job Hazards: Low
Physical Activity: Low
Decision Making: Medium
Repetitiveness: Medium
Level of Competition: Medium
Time Pressure: Medium

Business Breakdown

The different sectors people in this career currently work in.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 16.58% (Private For-Profit)
  • 5.11% (Private Not For-Profit)
  • 73.78% (State and Local Govt)
  • 2.34% (Federal Government)
  • 2.19% (Self-Employed)
Data supplied by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center
All data supporting myfuture.com is updated regularly. View our update schedule.