Construction & Real Estate Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Urban Planner Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median urban planner salary in Fort Collins, CO is $84,312 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median and 1.0% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$84,312
vs State Avg
+$795
vs National
+$4,772
Cost of Living
106%

Urban Planner Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median urban planner salary of $84,312, which is $795 above the Colorado state average of $83,517. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for urban planners in Fort Collins spans from $53,000 at the 10th percentile to $129,320 at the 90th percentile — a $76,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,120, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $125,080. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Urban Planner Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level urban planner earns around $55,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $125,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,120
+$3,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$85,860
+$4,860 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$125,080
+$7,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $53,000
25th Percentile $66,780
Median (50th) $84,312
75th Percentile $106,000
90th Percentile $129,320

Urban Planner Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$101,811
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$89,085
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$83,517
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$79,540
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Urban Planner in Fort Collins

Education

Most urban planner positions require a master's degree. Fort Collins and the surrounding Colorado area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Urban PlanningGISZoning LawCommunity EngagementData AnalysisAutoCAD

Job Outlook

Nationally, urban planner employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Collins may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open urban planner positions in Fort Collins, CO:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Urban Planner make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $84,312 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $53,000 (10th percentile) to $129,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,312, a urban planner in Fort Collins earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median urban planner salary of $84,312 is 1.0% above the Colorado state average of $83,517. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $84,312 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Fort Collins? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Fort Collins require a master's degree. Key skills include Urban Planning, GIS, Zoning Law, Community Engagement. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.