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Entry Level Planner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Emeryville

Assistant Planner

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$87K - $106K/yr

The Assistant Planner is an entry-level professional class responsible for providing general assistance to higher level planners in the areas of research, data collection and preparation of reports ...

ZL Technologies

Entry-Level Accountant

Milpitas, CA · On-site

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Entry-Level Accountant to join our Finance team ... Maintain accounting records and ensure data accuracy in the ERP/accounting system. * Collaborate ...

ZL Technologies

Entry-Level Accountant

Milpitas, CA

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Entry-Level Accountant to join our Finance team ... Maintain accounting records and ensure data accuracy in the ERP/accounting system. * Collaborate ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPlanner JobsEntry Level Planner JobsEntry Level Planner Jobs in California

Entry Level Planner information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$68.7K

$111.5K

How much do entry level planner jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level planner in California is $68,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,300.00 and $79,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by entry level planners, and how can they effectively overcome them?

Entry level planners often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple project deadlines, adapting to rapidly changing priorities, and learning to communicate effectively with diverse teams. To overcome these, it's helpful to develop strong organizational skills, proactively seek feedback from experienced colleagues, and make use of project management tools commonly used in the field. Regular check-ins with supervisors and collaborating closely with team members can also help new planners stay on track and quickly build confidence in their role.

What is the difference between Entry Level Planner vs Junior Urban Planner?

AspectEntry Level PlannerJunior Urban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in planning, geography, or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree in urban planning or related field
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, project support, data analysisOffice and fieldwork, site visits, community engagement
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipalities, consulting firms, government agenciesUrban planning firms, government departments, non-profits

Entry Level Planners and Junior Urban Planners share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, often working in municipal or consulting settings. The main difference lies in job titles used by employers; 'Junior Urban Planner' may imply slightly more specialized or advanced responsibilities, but both roles serve as entry points into urban planning careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Planner, you typically need a bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, or a related field, along with strong analytical and organizational skills. Familiarity with GIS software, Microsoft Office Suite, and understanding of zoning regulations are often required. Effective communication, attention to detail, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for collaborating with stakeholders and conveying planning concepts. These skills ensure accurate project analysis, regulatory compliance, and successful coordination on planning initiatives.

What does an entry level planner do?

An entry level planner typically assists in the development and implementation of plans related to urban development, events, or logistics, depending on the industry. Their responsibilities often include gathering and analyzing data, preparing reports, supporting senior planners, and ensuring projects comply with relevant regulations. This role is designed to provide foundational experience and training, allowing individuals to develop the skills needed for more advanced planning positions. Entry level planners may work in local government, private firms, or nonprofit organizations, and their daily tasks often involve both fieldwork and office duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Planner jobs in California?

The most popular types of Planner jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Planner jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Planner job openings:

Entry Level Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Planner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,680 per year, or $33 per hour.

Entry-level Transportation Engineer/Planner (Summer 2026)

Fehr & Peers

San Jose, CA • On-site

$91K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

If you are interested in multiple locations please only apply once, your preference will be discussed during the screening process.
 
At Fehr & Peers, we are a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common-a passion for transportation. We highly value that same passion in candidates for our team. Our Entry-Level Engineers and Planners may expect to build a career foundation through a wide variety of experiences. Our emphasis on the early development of project management and technical skills provides the tools for success as well as a foundation for increasing career growth. These opportunities for personal and professional growth are maximized through experience in both planning and engineering project work and by exposure to a multitude of project types and tasks, including the following:
 
- Transportation impact studies 
- Bicycle and pedestrian planning 
- Access, circulation, and parking studies 
- Multimodal operations assessments 
- Complete streets planning, operations, and design 
- Cost estimates and project specifications 
- Transit forecasting and operations 
- Travel behavior forecasting 
- Vehicle miles of travel (VMT) assessments 
- Systemic safety studies 
- Highway interchange/corridor studies 
- Climate action plans 
- Freight planning 
- Transportation demand management (TDM) plans 
- Design drawings from the conceptual stage all the way to construction-ready documents, including the following: 
- Bikeways/complete streets 
- Signing and striping 
- Traffic signals/ITS 
- Street lighting 
- Roundabouts 
- Temporary traffic control 
 
Please review the responsibilities below.
Ongoing:
  • Conduct transportation analysis and write reports 
  • Participate in meetings, including preparing presentations and public outreach materials 
  • Handle project management responsibilities  
  • Participate in professional organizations 
  • Conduct site visits and collect field data  
  • Explore the Fehr & Peers internal Research and Development program 
By the end of the first month:
  • Participate in on-the-job training and mentoring 
  • Work on a few different projects 
  • Seek additional work from project managers 
By the end of six months:
  • Work on a variety of projects with most staff in the office 
  • Use several technical software programs 
  • Prepare deliverables, including memos, reports, and presentations 
By the end of the first year:
  • Attend multiple client meetings 
  • Increase responsibility for managing small projects 
Qualifications (We encourage all applicants to apply, even if you don't meet all of the qualifications listed below)
  • An entrepreneurial spirit and proactive approach to communication and getting work done 
  • Genuine curiosity for the work and familiarity with the challenges of day-to-day travel within your community 
  • Completed bachelor's or in-progress master's degree in transportation, civil or electrical engineering, urban and regional planning, or a related major (e.g., geography, math, statistics, economics) 
  • Coursework in transportation, engineering, urban and regional planning, geography, math, statistics, economics, or other related courses (an EIT for engineering candidates is preferred) 
  • Experience or exposure related to the following topic areas (note that experience in all these areas is not required) Topic Areas: Field work, traffic operations analysis, signal design, transportation planning (e.g., bicycle or transit plans, infrastructure finance, transportation and land use policy, and/or travel demand modeling) 
  • Experience or exposure to relevant software (note that experience with all software is not required). General-Microsoft Excel, GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS), and/or CAD (AutoCAD, Microstation). Traffic Operations Analysis-HCS, Synchro/SimTraffic, Vistro, VISSIM, and/or Sidra.  Travel Demand Modeling-Cube/Voyager, TransCAD, VISUM, and/or Emme. Programming-Python and/or R. 
  • Previous work experience in an office setting related to a topic area listed above 
  • Experience with technical writing and public speaking through school and/or work experience 
  • Interpersonal skills, a desire to collaborate, and a creative approach to problem-solving 
  • Organizational skills and the ability to balance priorities between multiple tasks within a defined timeline 
$91,500 - $94,500 a year
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance.
401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Commuter Benefits.
Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave.
8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
Mentoring and Career Development programs.
Research and Development group participation, and more.
 
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
 
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, develop, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of our employees and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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