Career
The planning profession is centrally concerned with improving the future well-being of individuals in society and the quality of life in the communities within which we live. Planning draws from diverse disciplines to create practical solutions for problems that arise in the dynamic interaction between human activities and nature. Planners assist communities in formulating plans and policies to meet their social, economic, environmental, and cultural needs in the face of societal forces. Planners do so by identifying problems and opportunities, evaluating alternative solutions or plans, and communicating their findings in ways that allow citizens and public officials to make knowledgeable choices about the future.
Planning can:
- Preserve and enhance the quality of life
- Protect the physical and natural environment
- Promote equitable economic growth
- Distribute services to disadvantaged communities
- Respond effectively to the development of all kinds
Employment and Occupational Outlook
In 2023, there were 45,200 working planners in the United States. The projected average job growth from 2023 to 2033 is 4%, or 2,000 new planning jobs (as fast as the average). North Carolina ranks one of the highest employment levels in urban and Regional Planners, with 1,660 employments and an average mean wage of $75,800 in May 2023.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Urban & Regional Planners, Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 8, 2023)
- Occupational Employment and Wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023)
Salary Trends
According to the American Planning Association’s most recent salary survey, the median salary for planners in the U.S. was $79,000 a year in 2018. The median wage for North Carolina planners was $59,650. The entry-level salary range for a planning position in 2018 was $40,000-$55,000. For more information on the survey and its result, visit the 2018 APA/AICP Planners Salary Survey.
Planning for Your Career
- Join SPAN: Planning Student Organization – Extracurricular actions, community services, leadership, and networking will undoubtedly benefit your career.
- Planning Internship – You can apply for academic credits from your internship.
- Alumni-Student Mentorship – Get one-to-one mentorship from a professional planner.
- APA Free Student Membership – All Planning students are eligible for a free APA Student Membership.
- One Path to AICP – There are so many benefits to your career with the AICP Certification.
- Resumes & Cover Letters and Interview Preparation (ECU Career Services)
- NC Planning Listserv – Students can receive/send emails by subscribing to the Listserv and/or searching for job postings using the ‘View Archives’ option.