The American Planning Association has released the findings of its biennial salary survey of the planning profession. Check out the results to see how your compensation stacks up.
The fifth in a series of surveys conducted by the APA and AICP, beginning in 2004, this year's web-based Planner's Salary Survey received an exceptional 49% response rate from regular and new professional APA members.
According to the APA, "The typical full-time planner reported a 2012 annual salary of $71,000; this is similar to the $70,000 reported in 2010. This does not reflect the core rate of inflation (CPI - all urban consumers), which had a net gain of 4.8% per year during that period."
Although only APA members have access to the full results, the survey summary offers some compelling findings regarding the correlation between compensation and experience, AICP status, type of employer, and location of employment. The top states for median salary were also revealed, with the District of Columbia, California, and Nevada ranked at the top.
The survey was conducted for APA and AICP by Readex Research, an independent research company.
FULL STORY: Salary Survey Summary
There's More Than One Path to AICP Certification
The AICP Candidate Pilot Program launched in 2017 allows for planners to begin the journey to AICP certification earlier in their careers—even while they are still in school.
AICP Exam Changes for 2017
The AICP exam has been revised for May 2017. Here's some insight into the changes and links to resources that can help candidates prepare for the exam.
Planning Education: Striking a Better Balance
Planning education and practice fail to recognize the importance of physical design and spatial planning. Randall Arendt diagnoses the root of the disorder and suggests some treatments for returning urban planning to good health.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
Downtown Los Angeles on the Rise: A Promising 2025
Fueled by new developments, cultural investments, and a growing dining scene, downtown Los Angeles is poised for significant growth in 2025, despite challenges from recent wildfires and economic uncertainties.
San Francisco Slow Streets Bucks Citywide Trend, Reducing Injuries by 61 Percent
Low-cost interventions aimed at slowing traffic are making a major impact on road safety.
How Single-Family Conversions Benefit Both Homeowners and Cities
Converting single-family homes to triplexes can ease the housing crisis and offer affordable, flexible options for more households. Why is it largely illegal?
Report: Transportation Equity Requires More Than Electrification
Lower-income households often lack the resources to buy electric cars, signaling a need for a more holistic approach to improving mobility and lowering transportation costs.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research