SOC 19-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Urban and Regional Planners — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Massachusetts comes to $99,780 a year, ahead of the national median of $89,320 by 11.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Massachusetts comes to $99,780 a year, ahead of the national median of $89,320 by 11.7%. Pay ranges from under $69,150 at the tenth percentile to more than $134,310 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $82,020 to $115,800.
Employment stands at 1,540, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Massachusetts ranks number 9th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Boston records the highest median at $103,460. Of the 717 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 181st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,150 | −22.6% |
| 25th | $82,020 | −8.2% |
| Median (50th) | $99,780 | +11.7% |
| 75th | $115,800 | +29.6% |
| 90th | $134,310 | +50.4% |
| Mean | $100,590 | +12.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $103,460 | 1,100 | |
| 2 | Barnstable Town | $101,940 | 50 | |
| 3 | Worcester | $88,300 | 110 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $82,100 | 90 | |
| 5 | Amherst Town | $80,660 | 40 | |
| 6 | Pittsfield | $77,820 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $99,780 buys what $94,310 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$99,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$94,310US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $99,780 a year, 11.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $69,150 to $134,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 9th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boston, at $103,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $99,780, or $47.97 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $89,320, so pay in Massachusetts is 11.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Massachusetts earns more than $134,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $69,150 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Boston, at $103,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,540 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data