National
| Median wages (2008) |
$28.75 hourly, $59,810 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
34,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
15,000 additional employees |
19-3051.00 - Urban and Regional Planners
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of local jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Sample of reported job titles:
Planner, Community Development Planner, Planning Director, Neighborhood Planner, City Planner, Community Development Director, Regional Planner, Airport Planner, Building, Planning, and Zoning Director, Community Planning and Development Representative
Tasks
- Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, and 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, and community use.
- Recommend approval, denial or conditional approval of proposals.
- Design, promote and administer government plans and policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, and transportation.
- Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory and physical factors affecting land use.
- Create, prepare, or requisition graphic and narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density.
- Assess the feasibility of proposals and identify necessary changes.
- Coordinate work with economic consultants and architects during the formulation of plans and the design of large pieces of infrastructure.
- Keep informed about economic and legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations.
- Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on projects.
back to top
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Global positioning system receivers — Global positioning system GPS devices |
| Laser printers |
| Notebook computers |
| Personal computers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Citilabs TRANPLAN; ESRI What if?; Scientific Software Group ModTech; Transportation planning software |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; SolidWorks CAD software; Tangible Media Group Luminous Table; UrbanSim software |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Freehand; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Graphics software |
| Map creation software — ESRI ArcView; Geomechanical design analysis GDA software; PlanGraphics Citywide GIS Utility; Spatial decision support systems SDSS software |
| Project management software — Microsoft Project; Primavera Systems software |
| Spreadsheet software — IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel |
