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Transportation Planner Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Principal Transportation Planner Target Start Date: Summer 2026 (Flexible) About ICF's Transportation Line of Business ICF's Transportation Line of Business specializes in addressing complex planning ...

Senior Transportation Planner Location to work hybrid in Arlington, VA. About ICF - Transportation Line of Business ICF's Transportation Line of Business specializes in addressing complex planning ...

ATCS is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Senior Transportation Planner/Modeler to join our growing team! Based out of our Herndon, VA headquarters, this hybrid position offers a stimulating ...

ATCS is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Senior Transportation Planner/Modeler to join our growing team! Based out of our Herndon, VA headquarters, this hybrid position offers a stimulating ...

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Transportation Planner information

See Washington salary details

$44.7K

$84.1K

$125.2K

How much do transportation planner jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for transportation planner in Washington is $84,101.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,600.00 and $92,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a transportation planner?

A transportation planner develops plans for a city’s public transit system. As a transportation planner, you work alongside urban planners, engineers, and other professionals to create a comprehensive plan that benefits all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and those using powered transportation. Your primary job duties involve analyzing data, assessing the proposed land use area, reviewing local policies, and creating detailed proposals. Most transportation planners work on projects for cities and government agencies.

What does a transportation planner do?

A Transportation Planner is responsible for developing plans and strategies to improve transportation systems within cities, regions, or countries. They analyze data related to traffic, public transit, and urban development to recommend solutions that enhance mobility and safety. Their work often involves collaborating with government agencies, engineers, and the public to create efficient, sustainable, and accessible transportation networks.

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

To thrive as a Transportation Planner, you need expertise in urban planning, data analysis, and traffic modeling, often supported by a degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, transportation modeling tools (such as Synchro or TransCAD), and sometimes certification like AICP is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills help you effectively collaborate and present complex information. These skills and qualities are vital to designing efficient transportation systems that meet community needs and regulatory requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by transportation planners when coordinating with multiple stakeholders on large projects?

Transportation Planners often collaborate with government agencies, engineers, community groups, and private sector partners. One significant challenge is balancing diverse interests and priorities, such as budget constraints, environmental concerns, and community needs. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential to facilitate consensus and ensure that project goals align with regulatory requirements and public expectations. Staying organized and adaptable helps planners navigate shifting project scopes and timelines.

What is the difference between Transportation Planner vs Traffic Engineer?

AspectTransportation PlannerTraffic Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, transportation, or related field; often requires certification in planningBachelor's degree in civil engineering or related; often requires engineering licensure or certification
Work EnvironmentUrban planning agencies, government departments, consulting firmsTransportation departments, engineering firms, government agencies
Industry UsageFocuses on long-term transportation systems, land use, and policy planningFocuses on traffic flow, signal timing, and roadway safety

While both roles work within transportation and often collaborate, Transportation Planners focus on overall system design and policy, whereas Traffic Engineers concentrate on traffic operations and safety. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

How much do transportation planners make in the US?

Transportation planners in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $75,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $50,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience, location, and education. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals or those in senior roles can earn higher salaries, especially in urban areas or with specialized skills such as GIS or traffic modeling.

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

The most popular types of Transportation Planner jobs in Washington are:

What job categories do people searching Transportation Planner jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Transportation Planner jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Transportation Planner jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Transportation Planner job openings:

Infographic showing various Transportation Planner job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,101 per year, or $40.4 per hour.

Active Transportation Planner (Transportation Planner II)

Fairfax, VA • On-site


Fairfax County
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

344th of 851 rated public administrative organizations

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$73K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Job Announcement Since 1977, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has enhanced mobility, safety, and quality of life by planning, funding, implementing, and sustaining a multimodal transportation system that serves residents, businesses, and visitors throughout Fairfax County. The Active Transportation Team is seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative transportation professional to help advance the county's Active Transportation and Trails Plan and promote safe, accessible, and connected walking, biking, and rolling as viable modes of transportation. This position performs active transportation planning, program development, implementation, and evaluation to support mode shift and expand participation in active transportation.

Manages countywide education, encouragement, and engagement programs while collecting and analyzing program data, field observations, and community input to identify transportation needs, evaluate program outcomes, and improve active transportation programs and strategies. In this role, you'll manage several countywide active transportation initiatives, including the Trail Ranger Program, Community Discount Program, Ambassador Program, and Adopt-a-Trail Program. You'll collaborate with the Education and Encouragement Program Manager, transportation staff, community organizations, volunteers, schools, businesses, advocacy groups, and other partners to strengthen these programs and advance county active transportation priorities.

Offers the opportunity to work directly with the community while applying transportation planning principles to programs that encourage more people to walk, bike, and roll. You'll help evaluate program effectiveness, identify barriers to active transportation, analyze trends and transportation needs, develop recommendations, and shape programs that support mode shift throughout Fairfax County. Responsibilities include: Planning, implementing, and evaluating countywide active transportation education, encouragement, and engagement programs that promote safe walking, biking, and rolling and support the county's Active Transportation and Trails Plan.

Managing assigned active transportation initiatives, including the Trail Ranger, Ambassador, Community Discount, and Adopt-a-Trail programs. Applying active transportation planning principles to develop program objectives, implementation strategies, work plans, and performance measures. Collecting and analyzing program data, field observations, and community input to evaluate program effectiveness, identify transportation needs and barriers, analyze trends, and develop recommendations.

Planning and facilitating community events, educational workshops, volunteer activities, outreach campaigns, and stakeholder engagement as components of active transportation planning and program implementation. Developing educational materials, presentations, outreach strategies, and communications that increase awareness and participation in walking, biking, and rolling; coordinating volunteers and managing volunteer programs. Building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, advocacy groups, schools, businesses, volunteers, regional partners, and other stakeholders to advance active transportation goals.

Communicating active transportation plans, projects, programs, and planning information to the public and conveying Preparing planning materials, data summaries, presentations, and findings to support program evaluation and active transportation planning and implementation. Coordinating with transportation planners, engineers, county staff, and partner agencies to advance active transportation initiatives and independently manage small active transportation planning and implementation projects. Attending evening and weekend meetings, community events, workshops, site visits, and outreach activities, as needed, typically several times per month.

For more information on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, please click here. Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, urban, regional or transportation planning, or a closely related field; plus two years of professional experience in civil engineering, urban, regional or transportation planning, or a closely related field. CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Valid driver's license NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with active transportation including bicycle and pedestrian planning. Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating education, encouragement, public engagement, volunteer, or community-based active transportation programs. Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative or quantitative data to evaluate program performance, identify transportation needs and trends, and develop recommendations.

Experience planning and facilitating community events, workshops, public meetings, or stakeholder engagement activities. Experience building partnerships with community organizations, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, volunteers, or other stakeholders. Knowledge of active transportation planning principles, strategies, and best practices.

Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, analytical, and relationship-building skills. Experience using GIS/ArcGIS, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, online survey tools, event registration or volunteer management software, or other planning, data analysis, communications, or outreach tools. Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crouch, reach, crawl, lift and handle materials with manual dexterity.

Visual acuity to review detailed drawings, plans and documents. Ability to operate a motor vehicle and bicycle. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY

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