ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Transit Planner Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Atlas

Transit Project/Program Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Lead transit facility projects, programs, and task orders from planning through design, construction, operations, and maintenance. * Provide close coordination with the client, subconsultants, prime ...

Dar Group

Senior Architect, Transit Facilities

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Job Summary TYLin is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Architect to lead the planning and design of transit facilities across the Chicago region and broader Midwest. This role offers the ...

Dar Group

Senior Architect, Transit Facilities

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

Job Summary TYLin is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Architect to lead the planning and design of transit facilities across the Chicago region and broader Midwest. This role offers the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsTransit Planner JobsTransit Planner Jobs in Illinois

Transit Planner information

See Illinois salary details

$47K

$69.5K

$101.3K

How much do transit planner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for transit planner in Illinois is $69,539.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,100.00 and $74,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a transit planner do?

A Transit Planner is responsible for designing, evaluating, and improving public transportation systems in cities or regions. They analyze travel patterns, population trends, and community needs to recommend routes, schedules, and service changes. Their goal is to make public transit more efficient, accessible, and sustainable for the community. Transit Planners often collaborate with government agencies, stakeholders, and the public to ensure transportation solutions meet both current and future demands.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a transit planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Transit Planner, you need expertise in urban planning, transportation systems, data analysis, and typically a degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, transit modeling tools, and transportation planning regulations is essential. Strong communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills help you collaborate effectively and address community needs. These abilities ensure efficient, equitable, and sustainable transit solutions that enhance urban mobility and quality of life.

What are the main challenges transit planners face when balancing community needs with budget constraints?

Transit planners often need to find creative solutions to address diverse community needs while working within limited budgets. This involves prioritizing projects that maximize public benefit, analyzing ridership data, and seeking input from stakeholders to ensure equitable service distribution. Balancing operational efficiency with accessibility and sustainability goals can be challenging, but collaboration with local governments, engineers, and the public helps identify the most impactful improvements. Being adaptable and using data-driven decision-making are key skills for overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Transit Planner vs Transit Analyst?

AspectTransit PlannerTransit Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, transportation, or related field; often requires GIS skillsBachelor's or master's in urban planning, transportation, or data analysis; strong analytical skills needed
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, community engagement, planning meetingsData analysis, report writing, software use
Employer & Industry UsagePublic transit agencies, city planning departmentsTransit agencies, consulting firms, government agencies

Transit Planners focus on developing transit routes and infrastructure, while Transit Analysts analyze data to improve transit services. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work within the same organizations, but their daily tasks differ significantly.

Are transportation planners in demand?

Transportation planners are in demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects and urban development needs. Employment growth is expected to be steady as cities seek sustainable and efficient transit solutions, often requiring skills in GIS, data analysis, and transportation modeling.

How much do transit planners make in the US?

Transit planners in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $50,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience, location, and employer. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills may offer higher compensation, and many transit planners hold relevant degrees and certifications in urban planning or transportation engineering.

What are popular job titles related to Transit Planner jobs in Illinois?

For Transit Planner jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Transit Planner jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Transit Planner jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Transit Planner jobs in IL?

For Transit Planner jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Transit Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Transit Planner job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Full Time, and 90% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,539 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Director of Planning & Performance

Chicago, IL • On-site

Regional Transportation Authority
See more jobs at Regional Transportation Authorityexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

26-DPP
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), formerly the Regional Transportation Authority, was created by the Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker to make transit across northeastern Illinois work for riders as one regional transit system. NITA is seeking to fill a newly formed role with the Director of Planning and Performance for the Capital Programming and Planning department. The incumbent reports to the Chief Transition Officer and is responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating overall operations for the Planning department. The incumbent coordinates with the service boards (i.e., CTA/Metra/Pace), other government entities, civic partners, and department staff to support complex regional and local planning and transit-supportive land-use programs; data services and analytics; regional transit planning teams to advance the regional transit strategic plan.
NITA sets regional fares, service standards, and schedules across the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace; plans and funds regional capital investment; and oversees the performance and finances of the three Service Boards serving riders across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.
As of September 1, 2026, NITA has expanded authority under Public Act 104-0457. People who join NITA now will help build the systems, policies, and partnerships that shape regional transit for years to come.
The successful candidate should possess a strong understanding of the regional planning landscape, highly developed information-management, and people-management skills with a keen eye towards analytical and administrative excellence and demonstrated experience with innovation and collaboration both internally and with external partners. As NITA's planning requirements and duties are determined through the transition process, this position will lead the team and coordinate with the transit agencies and partners to deliver a more unified transit system for riders.
Accountabilities include but are not limited to:
  • Understanding of and experience in managing transit expansion projects, bus priority and BRT projects, alternative analyses, grant processes, and federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Develop, manage, and support the work plan for the department that consists of regional planning, local land-use planning, and data services and analytics.
  • Develop, implement, and support the regional transit strategic plan.
  • Oversee the coordination to develop, implement, and monitor performance-based policies and transit asset management of the Service Boards.
  • Oversee development, evolution, and coordination of the Community Planning and the Access to Transit programs and management of projects and align them to meet NITA's requirements.
  • Overhaul internal operations and GIS capabilities of NITA's public website that includes the region's transit data to meet NITA's new requirements.
  • Oversee regional service planning, a regional signage program, a new combined NITA transit benefit program, and other regional coordination activities.
  • Oversee the administration of the federal Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program.
  • Guide the development and implementation of planning and analysis tools and models.
  • Reorient NITA to take on a leadership position in planning and research activities with Service Boards, DOTs, CMAP, other public agencies, universities, and non-profits.
  • Develop reports for and deliver presentations to the Agency Board of Directors, management and staff, counterparts at the Service Boards, local and regional governments and planning bodies and other public transportation related entities.
  • Coordinate resources and reports with Chief Internal Auditor to comply with state and federal oversight regulations. Follow up on findings from internal and external audits to ensure remedial action.
  • Foster a work culture that's focused on achieving measurable objectives by coaching staff, strengthening interagency relationships, and supporting your team. Supports the Agency's Equal Employment Opportunity policies, goals, and objectives.
  • Perform other duties and assist in special projects as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:
  • The knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Master's Degree required in Planning, Public Administration, Engineering or Operations Research, other Business, or Government or a related field is required.
  • More than ten (10) years of progressively responsible transit or transportation planning experience in a public or private planning or research concern required. Must include planning development and analysis experience in a project team environment.
  • Must have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated supervisory/management experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience with metropolitan transportation planning environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex transit planning studies and capital programs.
  • Familiarity with transportation modeling and forecasting methods and tools.

Skills
  • Policy development and regulatory alignment: Experienced in crafting, implementing, and evaluating policies to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Strategic leadership: Capable of setting clear vision and direction, motivating teams, and guiding complex initiatives to achieve organizational goals.
  • Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to build strong, trust-based working relationships. Skilled at aligning stakeholders with differing priorities.
  • Communication: Expertise in distilling complex information into clear, actionable insights. Ability to present difficult findings tactfully while maintaining credibility and independence.
  • Multi-Tasking: Effectively manages multiple priorities at once, staying organized, accurate, and able to shift plans as priorities shift.

NITA offers a highly competitive benefits package:
  • Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by NITA at no cost to you
  • 401(k) and/or 457 plan options
  • Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
  • Transit benefits to support your commute
  • Twelve paid holidays and one floating holiday
  • Competitive personal leave package
  • Parental leave
  • Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D Insurance/Pet Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Gym membership discount
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • Employee Assistance Program

This role typically offers salaries near $162,668, and NITA offers competitive salaries with the possibility of a higher offer for highly qualified candidates.
For more information about NITA, visit our website at https://www.rtachicago.org/.
To apply online: Select Login and within the drop-down box, "Login" to your account or create an account by selecting "Register."
For assistance during your application process (e.g., password login, errors, attaching documents), please contact us at: humanresources@nita.illinois.gov.
An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
**Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-NITA employment while employed at the NITA, or within one year immediately after ending NITA employment, the employee may be required to notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor ("OEIG") or may be subject to a fine.

Apply