Construction & Real Estate Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Urban Planner Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median urban planner salary in Cleveland, OH is $68,404 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$68,404
vs State Avg
$-3,182
vs National
$-11,136
Cost of Living
86%

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

Cleveland offers a median urban planner salary of $68,404, which is $3,182 below the Ohio state average of $71,586. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $68,404 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,540 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for urban planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for urban planners in Cleveland spans from $43,000 at the 10th percentile to $104,920 at the 90th percentile — a $61,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,480. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Urban Planner Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level urban planner earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$69,660
$-11,340 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,480
$-16,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $43,000
25th Percentile $54,180
Median (50th) $68,404
75th Percentile $86,000
90th Percentile $104,920

Urban Planner Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$75,563
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$71,586
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$66,814
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$65,223
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Urban Planner in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open urban planner positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Urban Planner make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $68,404 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $43,000 (10th percentile) to $104,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,404, a urban planner in Cleveland earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Cleveland's median urban planner salary of $68,404 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $71,586. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $68,404 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Cleveland? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Cleveland 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.