Construction & Real Estate Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Urban Planner Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median urban planner salary in Rockford, IL is $65,223 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$65,223
vs State Avg
$-10,340
vs National
$-14,317
Cost of Living
82%

Urban Planner Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median urban planner salary of $65,223, which is $10,340 below the Illinois state average of $75,563. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $65,223 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,540 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for urban planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for urban planners in Rockford spans from $41,000 at the 10th percentile to $100,040 at the 90th percentile — a $59,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,640, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,760. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Urban Planner Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level urban planner earns around $42,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,420
$-14,580 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,760
$-21,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $41,000
25th Percentile $51,660
Median (50th) $65,223
75th Percentile $82,000
90th Percentile $100,040

Urban Planner Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$85,903
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$85,108
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$75,563
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$67,609
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Urban Planner in Rockford

Education

Most urban planner positions require a master's degree. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois 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 Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Rockford

Browse open urban planner positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Rockford

How much does a Urban Planner make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Rockford, Illinois is $65,223 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $41,000 (10th percentile) to $100,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $65,223, a urban planner in Rockford earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Rockford's median urban planner salary of $65,223 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $75,563. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $65,223 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Rockford? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Rockford 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.