Construction & Real Estate Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Urban Planner Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median urban planner salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $73,972 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$73,972
vs State Avg
$-2,386
vs National
$-5,568
Cost of Living
93%

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

Pittsburgh offers a median urban planner salary of $73,972, which is $2,386 below the Pennsylvania state average of $76,358. Compared to the national median of $79,540, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for urban planners in Pittsburgh spans from $46,500 at the 10th percentile to $113,460 at the 90th percentile — a $66,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $48,360, while senior urban planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $109,740. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Urban Planner Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level urban planner earns around $48,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $109,740 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$48,360
$-3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$75,330
$-5,670 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$109,740
$-8,260 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $46,500
25th Percentile $58,590
Median (50th) $73,972
75th Percentile $93,000
90th Percentile $113,460

Urban Planner Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$81,131
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$74,768
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$69,995
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$66,814
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Urban Planner in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open urban planner positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Urban Planner make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $73,972 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $46,500 (10th percentile) to $113,460 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $73,972, a urban planner in Pittsburgh earns approximately $36 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median urban planner salary of $73,972 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $76,358. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a urban planner salary of $73,972 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Pittsburgh 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.