Construction & Real Estate Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Urban Planner Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median urban planner salary in Lafayette, LA is $69,995 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$69,995
vs State Avg
$-2,386
vs National
$-9,545
Cost of Living
88%

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

Lafayette offers a median urban planner salary of $69,995, which is $2,386 below the Louisiana state average of $72,381. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $69,995 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,540 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for urban planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for urban planners in Lafayette spans from $44,000 at the 10th percentile to $107,360 at the 90th percentile — a $63,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,760, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,840. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Urban Planner Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level urban planner earns around $45,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$45,760
$-6,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$71,280
$-9,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,840
$-14,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $44,000
25th Percentile $55,440
Median (50th) $69,995
75th Percentile $88,000
90th Percentile $107,360

Urban Planner Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$77,949
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$73,177
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$68,404
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$67,609
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Urban Planner in Lafayette

Education

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

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open urban planner positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Urban Planner make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $69,995 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $44,000 (10th percentile) to $107,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $69,995, a urban planner in Lafayette earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Lafayette's median urban planner salary of $69,995 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $72,381. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $69,995 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Lafayette? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Lafayette 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.