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Average Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Urban and Regional Planners in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area earn a robust average annual salary of $111,720, significantly outpacing the national average of $96,050. This premium is largely driven by the region's complex urban landscape, extensive infrastructure projects, and high demand for strategic development expertise, necessitating specialized skills and experience.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $111,720 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.6% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $152,970.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Urban and Regional Planners in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim appears stable and slightly more concentrated than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 1.14. The presence of 1,980 professionals in this field indicates a substantial, established workforce, suggesting consistent opportunities for those with the requisite skills in urban development and planning.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$111,720

The average Urban and Regional Planners in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earns+16.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$53.7

Weekly

$2,148

Monthly

$9,310

Urban and Regional Planners Salary Distribution in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Career progression for Urban and Regional Planners typically sees a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior planners with extensive project management and policy development experience can command salaries well into the higher percentiles, reflecting their accumulated expertise and strategic value.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$72,590$34.9
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$83,790$40.3
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$106,000$51
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$139,650$67.1
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$152,970$73.5

Detailed Urban and Regional Planners Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$111,720

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$111,720

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $111,720 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average, indicating that the increased earnings are offset by the cost of living in this major metropolitan area.

Job Market Context

1,980

Total Jobs

0.319

Per 1K Jobs

1.14

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.14, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Urban and Regional Planners roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.14, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area exhibits a slightly higher concentration of Urban and Regional Planners compared to the national average. This suggests a robust market with a notable demand for these professionals, though it also implies a competitive environment where specialized skills and a strong portfolio are crucial for career advancement.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Urban and Regional Planners

Comparing salaries near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Hiring Urban and Regional Plannerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Urban and Regional Planners make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

The median annual salary for a Urban and Regional Planners in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $111,720. This typically ranges from $72,590 for entry-level positions to $152,970 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 16.3% higher than the national median of $96,050.

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a lucrative place for Urban and Regional Plannerss?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Urban and Regional Planners.The average salary of $111,720 significantly exceeds the national average, and the Location Quotient of 1.14 indicates a strong local demand for these professionals.

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a good place to live for Urban and Regional Planners?

The Cost of Living Index in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($104,110) and Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

Urban and Regional Planners in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim earn an average of $111,720 annually, which is $15,670 more than the national average of $96,050.

What is the concentration of Urban and Regional Planners in this area?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.14, indicating that this area has 14% more Urban and Regional Planners than the national average relative to its overall workforce.

How does the cost of living affect the salary?

The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $111,720 provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What is the total number of Urban and Regional Planners in the area?

There are approximately 1,980 Urban and Regional Planners employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,980 employees in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area with a job density of 0.319 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.