Average Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Urban and Regional Planners in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area earn an average annual salary of $81,810. This figure is notably below the national average of $96,050, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially lower demand contribute to this compensation difference. While the cost of living is at the national average, the salary indicates a less lucrative environment compared to other regions.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $81,810 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $114,080.
- Outlook: The local job market for Urban and Regional Planners in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, with a total workforce of 600, shows a concentration slightly below the national average, indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.76. This suggests that while the profession is present, it is not as dominant as in other areas, implying a stable but not rapidly expanding demand for these roles within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Urban and Regional Planners in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-14.8%below the national average.
$39.3
$1,573
$6,818
Urban and Regional Planners Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Urban and Regional Planners in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington have experienced gradual growth over the past four years, mirroring general economic trends and inflation. This growth would likely be influenced by local development projects, infrastructure investments, and the overall economic health of the metropolitan area.
Urban and Regional Planners Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Salary progression for Urban and Regional Planners typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions might start significantly below the $81,810 average, while seasoned professionals with extensive project management and policy development expertise can command salaries well above this mark. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify the career trajectory and increased earning potential as planners advance in their careers.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $57,030 | $27.4 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $61,358 | $29.5 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $79,050 | $38 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $102,263 | $49.2 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $114,080 | $54.8 |
Detailed Urban and Regional Planners Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$81,810
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$81,810
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average salary of $81,810 for Urban and Regional Planners in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of an average planner's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering no significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of affordability compared to the rest of the country.
Job Market Context
600
Total Jobs
0.211
Per 1K Jobs
0.76
Location Quotient
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.76x the national average concentration of Urban and Regional Planners jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
With a Location Quotient of 0.76, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area has a slightly lower concentration of Urban and Regional Planners compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market is neither oversaturated nor exceptionally scarce, presenting a balanced environment where job opportunities exist but may require diligent searching and a competitive application process.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Urban and Regional Planners
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Urban and Regional Planners Salary | $101,720↑ 24% | 28 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Urban and Regional Planners Salary | $79,760↓ 3% | 47 mi |
| Reading, PA Urban and Regional Planners Salary | $78,590↓ 4% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Hiring Urban and Regional Plannerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Urban and Regional Planners make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Urban and Regional Planners in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $81,810. This typically ranges from $57,030 for entry-level positions to $114,080 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 14.8% lower than the national median of $96,050.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Urban and Regional Planners?
No, not exceptionally lucrative.The average salary of $81,810 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is average, the compensation does not offer a significant financial advantage over other regions.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Urban and Regional Planners?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($101,720) and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.
How does the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for Urban and Regional Planners in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is $81,810, which is lower than the national average of $96,050.
What is the Cost of Living in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
The Cost of Living Index for Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is 100, which is exactly at the national average, meaning it is neither more nor less expensive to live there than the typical U.S. location.
How concentrated are Urban and Regional Planners in this area?
The concentration of Urban and Regional Planners is slightly below the national average, with a Location Quotient of 0.76, indicating fewer planners per capita than the national norm.
What is the total number of Urban and Regional Planners in the area?
There are approximately 600 Urban and Regional Planners employed within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington 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 600 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 0.211 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Urban and Regional Planners • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD