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Master Degree Careers and Jobs

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Master's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Master's Degree.

A master's degree deepens expertise and often unlocks specialized, supervisory, or higher-paying roles beyond a bachelor's degree. For people weighing whether advanced study will meaningfully expand their career options. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link.

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Doctorate Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Doctorate Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.



Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Master Degree Jobs External Link
What jobs can you get with a Master's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Master's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Master's Degree. - 90 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Masters Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Nurse Anesthetists / (44.44%) / ($212,650)
Chief Sustainability Officers / (81.48%) / ($206,680)
Chief Executives / (50.40%) / ($206,680)
Architectural and Engineering Managers / (51.04%) / ($165,370)
Water Resource Specialists / (50.00%) / ($157,740)
Investment Fund Managers / (67.35%) / ($156,100)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists / (57.69%) / ($147,420)
Computer Hardware Engineers / (37.93%) / ($138,080)
Physician Assistants / (94.59%) / ($130,020)
Nurse Midwives / (96.87%) / ($129,650)
Law Teachers, Postsecondary / (63.68%) / ($127,360)
Nurse Practitioners / (65.22%) / ($126,260)
Mathematicians / (35.00%) / ($116,440)
Economists / (50.00%) / ($115,730)
Environmental Economists / (40.74%) / ($115,730)
Microsystems Engineers / (34.17%) / ($111,970)
Photonics Engineers / (38.10%) / ($111,970)
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary / (30.49%) / ($105,770)
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary / (35.94%) / ($105,650)
Biostatisticians / (58.33%) / ($104,110)
Statisticians / (61.90%) / ($104,110)
Health Informatics Specialists / (57.14%) / ($103,800)
Education Administrators, Postsecondary / (47.94%) / ($102,610)
Sociologists / (30.00%) / ($101,770)
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists / (31.44%) / ($100,890)
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary / (49.78%) / ($100,690)
Physical Therapists / (38.30%) / ($99,710)
Fuel Cell Engineers / (42.86%) / ($99,510)
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / (50.00%) / ($99,380)
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary / (47.35%) / ($96,430)
Occupational Therapists / (86.36%) / ($96,370)
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / (60.87%) / ($96,370)
Water/Wastewater Engineers / (30.44%) / ($95,890)
Transportation Planners / (45.00%) / ($95,890)
Genetic Counselors / (100.00%) / ($95,770)
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / (37.04%) / ($92,580)
Biologists / (54.99%) / ($91,100)
Geneticists / (36.00%) / ($91,100)
Bioinformatics Scientists / (42.10%) / ($91,100)
Speech-Language Pathologists / (100.00%) / ($89,290)
Clinical Nurse Specialists / (95.23%) / ($86,070)
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses / (91.31%) / ($86,070)
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary / (35.34%) / ($86,030)
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary / (35.27%) / ($85,810)
School Psychologists / (96.15%) / ($84,940)
Operations Research Analysts / (42.86%) / ($83,640)
History Teachers, Postsecondary / (30.36%) / ($82,140)
Urban and Regional Planners / (60.00%) / ($81,800)
Epidemiologists / (66.67%) / ($81,390)
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary / (43.00%) / ($81,020)
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary / (52.11%) / ($80,780)
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary / (52.29%) / ($80,360)
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary / (71.82%) / ($79,910)
Sustainability Specialists / (39.13%) / ($79,590)
Industrial Ecologists / (65.22%) / ($78,980)
Environmental Restoration Planners / (40.91%) / ($78,980)
Climate Change Policy Analysts / (65.22%) / ($78,980)
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary / (36.77%) / ($78,410)
Financial Quantitative Analysts / (60.00%) / ($78,310)
Acupuncturists / (75.00%) / ($78,220)
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary / (31.68%) / ($78,130)
Orthotists and Prosthetists / (90.00%) / ($78,100)
Social and Community Service Managers / (32.05%) / ($77,030)
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary / (34.76%) / ($75,020)
Instructional Coordinators / (74.90%) / ($74,620)
Historians / (64.48%) / ($72,890)
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators / (57.90%) / ($71,540)
Bioinformatics Technicians / (40.66%) / ($70,620)
Dietitians and Nutritionists / (33.33%) / ($69,680)
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary / (49.12%) / ($69,030)
Soil and Plant Scientists / (38.09%) / ($68,240)
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / (42.41%) / ($66,620)
Anthropologists and Archeologists / (30.00%) / ($63,800)
Midwives / (30.30%) / ($63,630)
Healthcare Social Workers / (85.18%) / ($62,940)
Music Directors and Composers / (30.14%) / ($62,590)
Curators / (44.05%) / ($61,750)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors / (41.19%) / ($61,710)
Survey Researchers / (46.16%) / ($60,960)
Archivists / (90.32%) / ($59,910)
Farm and Home Management Educators / (70.37%) / ($59,770)
Set and Exhibit Designers / (47.61%) / ($59,490)
Clergy / (49.16%) / ($58,920)
Athletic Trainers / (54.33%) / ($57,930)
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators / (50.00%) / ($57,570)
Interpreters and Translators / (31.57%) / ($57,090)
Social Science Research Assistants / (36.70%) / ($56,400)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers / (81.22%) / ($55,960)
Self-Enrichment Teachers / (34.69%) / ($45,330)
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / (37.46%) / ($43,750)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Urban and Regional Planners.

Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Urban and Regional Planners" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.




Urban and Regional Planners

Description: Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
39,100
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
41,800
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
2,700 (6.8%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
3,700
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Urban and Regional Planners":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Investigate property availability for purposes of development.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Advise others on business or operational matters.
Analyze geological or geographical data.
Analyze impact of legal or regulatory changes.
Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
Communicate with government agencies.
Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
Compile geographic or related data.
Design civil structures or systems.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.
Mediate disputes.
Obtain property information.
Prepare maps.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Promote environmental sustainability or conservation initiatives.
Provide technical information or assistance to public.
Record research or operational data.
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.
Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters.
Activity: Analyze environmental or geospatial data.
Activity: Assess characteristics or impacts of regulations or policies.
Activity: Collect information about patients or clients.
Activity: Communicate environmental or sustainability information.
Activity: Compile records, documentation, or other data.
Activity: Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations.
Activity: Coordinate with others to resolve problems.
Activity: Create visual designs or displays.
Activity: Design structures or facilities.
Activity: Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources.
Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance.
Activity: Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Activity: Gather information from physical or electronic sources.
Activity: Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.
Activity: Maintain operational records.
Activity: Mediate disputes.
Activity: Present research or technical information.
Activity: Promote products, services, or programs.
Activity: Provide information or assistance to the public.
Activity: Supervise personnel activities.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk AutoCAD
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Geographic information system:
ESRI ArcGIS software
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Widely Used Tech Skills
Geographic information system:
Geographic information system GIS systems
Emerging Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Bentley MicroStation
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Data base user interface and query software:
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe InDesign
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Enterprise application integration software:
Extensible markup language XML
Enterprise resource planning ERP software:
SAP software
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Object or component oriented development software:
Oracle Java
Project management software:
Microsoft Project
Web platform development software:
Hypertext markup language HTML
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Analytical or scientific software:
Citilabs TRANPLAN
Location allocation decision support system LADSS
Scientific Software Group ModTech
Transportation planning software
Compliance software:
Accela PERMITS Plus
Accela Tidemark Advantage
Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below):
3D urban simulation modeling software
Autodesk 3ds Max Design
Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D
Caliper TransCAD
CommunityViz
e-on VUE
MultiGen Paradigm 3D GIS
Tangible Media Group Luminous Table
UrbanSim
Data base user interface and query software:
Database software
dBASE
Land management databases
Street address databases
Desktop communications software:
RhinoSoft FTP Voyager
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe PageMaker
Development environment software:
Software development tools
Document management software:
Interwoven software
Electronic mail software:
Email software
IBM Lotus Notes
Enterprise resource planning ERP software:
Accela KIVA DMS
WorkTech MAXIMO
Geographic information system (scroll table below):
Esri ArcGIS
ESRI ArcInfo
ESRI ArcView
ESRI software
ESRI What if?
Geographic information system GIS software
PlanGraphics Citywide GIS Utility
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe FreeHand MX
Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
Graphics software
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Map creation software (scroll table below):
Criterion Planners INDEX
Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
Intergraph MGE
ITC Integrated Land and Water Information System ILWIS
ITSpatial InterSCOPE
Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
RockWare ArcMap
Spatial decision support systems SDSS software
Telogis GeoBase
Office suite software:
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Project management software:
Oracle Primavera Systems
Spreadsheet software:
IBM Lotus 1-2-3
Time accounting software:
Sage Timeslips
Web page creation and editing software:
Adobe Dreamweaver
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 56.0 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 40.0 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 4.0 (%) Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 40.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 20.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 12.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 12.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 8.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 4.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 4.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Certified Economic Developer External Link
Certified Planner External Link
Professional Transportation Planner External Link
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) External Link
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) External Link
National Association for County Community & Economic Development (NACCED) External Link
National Association of Counties (NACO) External Link
National League of Cities (NLC) External Link
Planners Network (PN) External Link
Related Careers to Consider
Related Careers to Consider
This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Urban and Regional Planners" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Transportation Planners
2 - Project Management Specialists
3 - Chief Sustainability Officers
4 - Sustainability Specialists
5 - Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
6 - Climate Change Policy Analysts
7 - Environmental Restoration Planners
8 - Landscape Architects
9 - Conservation Scientists
10 - Industrial Ecologists
11 - Management Analysts
12 - Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
13 - Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
14 - Information Technology Project Managers
15 - Range Managers
16 - Emergency Management Directors
17 - Chief Executives
18 - Geographers
19 - Hydrologic Technicians
20 - Water Resource Specialists

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Urban and Regional Planners". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Urban and Regional Planners". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Urban and Regional Planners". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Urban and Regional Planners


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Urban and Regional Planners" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page