How much does an urban and regional planner make in Chicago?
$98,840a year
Median yearly pay for urban and regional planners in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $47.52 an hour or $8,237 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.52
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among cities
- 44 of 204
- Jobs in the area
- 800
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,300Median: $98,840Highest 10%: $163,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,300 | $30.91 | |
| 25th | $79,660 | $38.30 | |
| Median | $98,840 | $47.52 | |
| 75th | $121,800 | $58.57 | |
| 90th | $163,500 | $78.58 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for urban and regional planners.
| Rockford, IL | $88,160 |
| Champaign, IL | $81,840 |
| St. Louis, MO | $80,270 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $137,100 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $133,500 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,300 |
| Physical Scientist | $121,700 |
| Geoscientist | $114,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,600 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,800 |
| Political Scientist | $103,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an urban and regional planner make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47.52 ($98,840 a year).
Do urban and regional planners make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $98,840 against $89,320 nationally, 11% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $91,360, so Chicago pays 8% more.
Where does Chicago rank for urban and regional planner pay?
44 of 204 metro areas with data.
How much does an urban and regional planner make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,300 or less a year; the top 10% make $163,500 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.