Transportation Planners
SOC code 19-3099 · O*NET-SOC 19-3099.01 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Transportation Planners pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$101,110
a year
Hourly
$48.61
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$107,690
$51.78 per hour
Middle 50%
$80,860 – $129,960
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$66,120 – $160,300
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
37,100
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $66,120
- $31.79/hr
- 25th percentile
- $80,860
- $38.87/hr
- Median percentile
- $101,110
- $48.61/hr
- 75th percentile
- $129,960
- $62.48/hr
- 90th percentile
- $160,300
- $77.07/hr
What does a transportation planner do?
Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
- Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
- Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
- Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
- Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
- Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
- Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
- Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
How to become a transportation planner
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 55% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree55%
- Master's Degree45%
Common questions
How much does a transportation planner earn?
The national median is $101,110 a year. The full range runs from $66,120 at the 10th percentile to $160,300 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a transportation planner without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.8/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Geography3.7/5
- Law and Government3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Evaluation, Coordination.