What Can You Do with a Master’s in City Planning? Top 5 Careers to Consider

One of the biggest reasons you might choose to pursue a graduate degree is for your career. Whether you’re aiming to move beyond entry-level roles or transition into a different industry, a master’s degree gives you an advantage. Let’s say that city planning has piqued your interest. Before you decide to continue your education in the field, you might ask: what can you do with a master’s in city planning? 

As it turns out, a master’s unlocks numerous career options. Here are the top five careers you can consider with a master’s in city planning. 

• Mid-career professionals can expand their skills and advance their careers by earning a master’s in city planning.

• Top career options in city planning include urban and regional planning, transportation, sustainability, real estate, and GIS roles. 

• A master’s degree is ideal for professionals who want to take on more complex problems, such as zoning regulations or development. 

A master’s in city planning is designed for experienced professionals who hope to advance in urban and regional planning. Building upon a foundational knowledge of city planning, a master's combines city planning theory with opportunities to apply that knowledge to real-world planning problems.

Coursework for a master’s in city planning covers many topics through both lectures and a capstone project, including: 

• Urban planning and policy

• Data analysis and visualization 

• Geographic information systems

• Community development 

• Economic policy analysis and advocacy

• Planning systems analysis 

While you can pursue a wide range of careers with a master’s in city planning, here are five options that should be on your radar.

These individuals work in cities, counties, and metropolitan areas to develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities. Through collaboration, data analysis, and project management, they develop both short-term and long-term development plans to improve areas. They also develop solutions and strategies for tackling economic, social, and environmental issues within communities. 

The 2024 median annual salary for urban planners was $83,720, with the highest earners working in architectural and engineering sectors.  

Developing new transit routes is the main work of transportation planners—however, that doesn’t just mean roads or highways. Transportation planners may oversee the development of varied transit projects, from cycling and walking paths to train, bus, and air routes. Along with organizing the construction of transit projects, they also gather community feedback and propose improvements to current transit options.

According to Indeed, the average annual salary for transportation planners is $82,734.  

If you’re passionate about both city planning and sustainability, then a career as an environmental and sustainability planner (or sustainability consultant) is perfect for you. These individuals consider questions of environmental and economic sustainability in conjunction with urban planning. In their conversations with local government officials and other collaborators, they offer guidance on matters of policies and laws related to sustainability, energy efficiency, waste, recycling, and public health.

The average reported salary for early-career sustainability planners is $81,312, with managers in this career earning an average of $97,883 per year.  

When someone needs an expert on buying and selling land, they turn to a real estate and land use consultant. By keeping up with real estate market trends, these professionals are able to determine the feasibility of a real estate purchase and advise clients on their investments. Depending on their focus area, real estate consultants may work in residential real estate, with investors, or within a real estate firm.

Glassdoor reports average annual earnings of $131,000 for real estate consultants.  

Interested in both city planning and geographic information science (GIS)? Then a career in GIS combines both of these interests! GIS professionals, such as GIS specialists, technicians, and analysts, are primarily concerned with geography and spatial data analysis. A master’s in city planning provides experience with data analysis and GIS technology, both of which are crucial to urban design projects. 

According to Zippia, the 2025 average salary for a GIS Specialist is $65,463—a 10% increase over the past ten years. 

Not sure if any of the top five options are right for you? That’s okay—you can also explore careers off the beaten path. With a master’s in city planning, you’ll be prepared for roles in the following areas:

• Project management 

• Nonprofit organizations

• Private sector 

• Corporate sustainability

• Tech sector applications 

As mentioned above, you’ll want to earn your master's if you’re a mid-career city planner who wants to climb higher! A master's helps you build advanced skills in urban planning, policy, and leadership to drive sustainable city development. Even if you’ve been working in the field for several years, you may need to show mastery of specific skills, such as GIS technology or analytics, to take that next step in your career.

A master’s degree will also help you navigate situations that are less common in entry-level roles. For example, a master’s degree equips you to work within complex regulatory environments, address environmental challenges, and approach city planning with sustainability in mind. Additionally, increasing your expertise in zoning regulations, real estate development, and land use planning will also prepare you for leadership roles in the field. 

Ultimately, only you can determine if a master’s in city planning is right for you. However, if your biggest priorities are career advancement and flexibility, then UC’s online Master of City Planning may be the perfect fit! 

Designed with working professionals in mind, this program allows you to complete your degree on your part-time or full-time, not to mention 100% online. UC is committed to helping you balance your master's degree, job, and life—and a fulfilling career as a city planner awaits you upon graduation!

Still have questions? Your Enrollment Services Advisor can offer individualized guidance based on your educational needs and interests. 

City planning is an excellent career for individuals who are interested in urban development and are skilled at collaborating with others—such as public officials, interest groups, and community members. Many careers are available in city planning, depending on your specific skill set and interests.

Yes! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment rate for city planners will grow 3% by 2034. This is on par with job growth across all industries.  

Most careers in city planning require a master’s degree in the field. A bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, business, or a social science is most common in the field, though graduate programs typically don’t require this for admission.