| 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. |
Political Science Careers and Jobs
Select, Find and Prepare for Political Science Careers and Jobs - all on one page
For people interested in government, policy, or law who want a flexible pre-professional foundation. Use the tools below to see which political science roles fit your background and goals.
This major serves as a common pre-law and public-policy pathway, valued for analytical writing and understanding of government systems. Use the tools below to explore Political Science-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Legislative Aide, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Policy Analyst or Attorney (post-law school). Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as None formally required; often paired with law school or an MPA, that can help you move up the career ladder.
Here is a short Helper Video 
This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Political Science careers/jobs, (2) Find Political Science job listings, (3) Prepare for Political Science careers, and (4) Provide Political Science career-specific resources.
Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Political Science careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Political Science Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Political Science careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Political Science, so relevant Political Science jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Political Science Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Political Science Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Political Science careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 35 Political Science Jobs.
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 job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title 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 chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.
** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links 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. Can also assist with coffee chats.
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/Job
17 Political Science careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Political Science-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:
| Occupations | U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) | Political Science-Related Jobs |
22 Political Science careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Political Science-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::
| Occupations | National Median Salary | Political Science-Related Jobs |
22 Political Science careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Political Science-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.
|
Education/Preparation Categories: 5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) 4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree 3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree 2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always Please Scroll and Select below: |
||
| Occupations | Education/Preparation | Political Science-Related Jobs |
Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 35 specific Political Science job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:
Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below
Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Find Job Listings:
Urban and Regional Planners.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
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.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Urban and Regional Planners":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
39,100U.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
Core Duties
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? |
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| 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): | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| 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): | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| 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): | |||||||||
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| 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 |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
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? |
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Certified Economic Developer
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Certified Planner
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Professional Transportation Planner
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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? |
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Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM)
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International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
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National Association for County Community & Economic Development (NACCED)
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National Association of Counties (NACO)
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National League of Cities (NLC)
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Planners Network (PN)
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Job Listings
| Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings |
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources
This section contains detailed external 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.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Urban and Regional Planners
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.
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
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