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Occupation · SOC 19-3051

Urban and Regional Planners

There are 44,230 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $89,320 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ScienceTypical education: Master's degree
44,230
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$89,320
Median pay a year
Middle half: $72,020–$110,030
3,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.9%
242
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+12.6% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 205 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $111,380 · LCA filings 161,920$111,38016
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $99,150 · LCA filings 451,570$99,15045
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $108,040 · LCA filings 31,430$108,0403
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $136,250 · LCA filings 111,250$136,25011
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $104,770 · LCA filings 111,250$104,77011
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $103,460 · LCA filings 251,100$103,46025
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAMedian pay $96,580 · LCA filings 21,020$96,5802
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $107,470 · LCA filings 51,000$107,4705
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $98,840 · LCA filings 9800$98,8409
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $107,710 · LCA filings 4760$107,7104

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 320 · LCA filings 1$139,3603201
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 1,250 · LCA filings 11$136,2501,25011
Vallejo, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$129,790700
Napa, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 1$128,530301
Salinas, CAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$125,3001000

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 35 · Employment 1,57045351,570
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 14 · Employment 1,10025141,100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 11 · Employment 1,92016111,920
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 9 · Employment 1,2501191,250
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 7 · Employment 1,2501171,250

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $97,926 · Level III $115,731 · Level IV $133,536$80,122$97,926$115,731$133,536
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $87,194 · Level III $103,272 · Level IV $119,371$71,094$87,194$103,272$119,371
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $99,694 · Level III $110,198 · Level IV $120,702$89,190$99,694$110,198$120,702
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $116,730 · Level III $135,949 · Level IV $155,189$97,490$116,730$135,949$155,189
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $94,411 · Level III $110,240 · Level IV $126,090$78,562$94,411$110,240$126,090
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $91,770 · Level III $105,123 · Level IV $118,456$78,437$91,770$105,123$118,456
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $92,394 · Level III $106,038 · Level IV $119,683$78,749$92,394$106,038$119,683
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $88,150 · Level III $104,749 · Level IV $121,368$71,531$88,150$104,749$121,368
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $86,902 · Level III $103,854 · Level IV $120,827$69,930$86,902$103,854$120,827
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $95,326 · Level III $109,741 · Level IV $124,176$80,891$95,326$109,741$124,176

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
City/Urban, Community, and Regional PlanningCIP 04.03OPT · up to 12 months280OPT · up to 12 months
Urban Studies/AffairsCIP 45.12OPT · up to 12 months70OPT · up to 12 months
Geography and CartographyCIP 45.07Varies by program487Varies by program

See Urban and Regional Planners in every metro area

All 205 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology