Urban and regional planners
SOC Code: 19-3051
Urban and regional planners carries a 47% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $83,720 and +3.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 44,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Urban and regional planners (SOC 19-3051) carries an AI exposure score of 47%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 44,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.4% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $83,720, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Master's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Urban and regional planners. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
- 2. Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
- 3. Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
- 4. 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.
- 5. Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
- 6. Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
- 7. Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
- 8. Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
- 9. Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
- 10. Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Systems Analysis
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Evaluation
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Geography
- Transportation
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Urban and regional planners?
Urban and regional planners has an AI exposure score of 47%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Urban and regional planners?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Urban and regional planners is projected to grow by 3.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 44,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Urban and regional planners?
Key skills for Urban and regional planners include Active Listening, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, and others. Typical entry-level education is Master's degree.
How much do Urban and regional planners earn?
The median annual wage for Urban and regional planners is $83,720, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Urban and regional planners?
The typical entry-level education for Urban and regional planners is Master's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Urban and regional planners?
Urban and regional planners roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).