Construction & Real Estate Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Urban Planner Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median urban planner salary in Columbia, MD is $93,857 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$93,857
vs State Avg
+$6,363
vs National
+$14,317
Cost of Living
118%

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

Columbia offers a median urban planner salary of $93,857, which is $6,363 above the Maryland state average of $87,494. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $93,857 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $79,540. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for urban planners in Columbia spans from $59,000 at the 10th percentile to $143,960 at the 90th percentile — a $84,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,360, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,240. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Urban Planner Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level urban planner earns around $61,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,360
+$9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$95,580
+$14,580 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,240
+$21,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $59,000
25th Percentile $74,340
Median (50th) $93,857
75th Percentile $118,000
90th Percentile $143,960

Urban Planner Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$97,039
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$91,471
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$85,903
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$83,517
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Urban Planner in Columbia

Education

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

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Columbia

Browse open urban planner positions in Columbia, MD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Columbia

How much does a Urban Planner make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Columbia, Maryland is $93,857 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $59,000 (10th percentile) to $143,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,857, a urban planner in Columbia earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Columbia's median urban planner salary of $93,857 is 7.3% above the Maryland state average of $87,494. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $93,857 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Columbia? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Columbia 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.