Construction & Real Estate Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Urban Planner Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median urban planner salary in Grand Island, NE is $66,814 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$66,814
vs State Avg
$-4,772
vs National
$-12,726
Cost of Living
84%

Urban Planner Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median urban planner salary of $66,814, which is $4,772 below the Nebraska state average of $71,586. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $66,814 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,540 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for urban planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for urban planners in Grand Island spans from $42,000 at the 10th percentile to $102,480 at the 90th percentile — a $60,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $43,680, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $99,120. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Urban Planner Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level urban planner earns around $43,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $99,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,680
$-8,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,040
$-12,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$99,120
$-18,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $42,000
25th Percentile $52,920
Median (50th) $66,814
75th Percentile $84,000
90th Percentile $102,480

Urban Planner Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$73,972
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$73,177
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$71,586
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$68,404
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Urban Planner in Grand Island

Education

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

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open urban planner positions in Grand Island, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Urban Planner make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $66,814 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $42,000 (10th percentile) to $102,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $66,814, a urban planner in Grand Island earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Grand Island's median urban planner salary of $66,814 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $71,586. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $66,814 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Grand Island? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Grand Island 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.