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Urban Planning Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of DeSoto, TX

Planner

Desoto, TX · On-site

$53K - $77K/yr

A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or other related field; * Five (5) years of related work ... and PHD degrees. Social Security Employee participates at 7.65% contribution with matching city ...

New York University

Post Doctoral Associate

New York, NY · On-site

$62K - $65K/yr

Qualifications Candidates must have a PhD in urban planning, human-computer interaction, design, information science, urban science or a related field. We welcome applicants with recent PhDs and ...

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How much do urban planning phd jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for urban planning phd in the United States is $100,259.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an urban planning PhD?

An Urban Planning PhD job typically involves academic research, policy analysis, and advanced planning work in government, private, or nonprofit sectors. Professionals in this role may teach at universities, conduct urban development research, or advise on planning policies. Their work focuses on sustainable growth, land use, transportation, and community development, often shaping the future of cities and regions.

What typical career paths are available for someone with a PhD in urban planning?

A PhD in Urban Planning opens doors to a variety of career paths such as academic research and teaching, senior roles in public sector planning departments, consultancy positions in urban development firms, and leadership roles with non-governmental organizations or think tanks. Many PhD graduates lead multidisciplinary research projects, advise policymakers, or contribute to major urban revitalization initiatives. Some also progress into executive planning roles or specialize further in areas like sustainable development, transportation, or environmental policy. This advanced training positions you as an expert capable of shaping cities and influencing policy at both local and global scales.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the urban planning PhD position, and why are they important?

To excel as an Urban Planning PhD, you need advanced knowledge of urban theory, spatial analysis, land use policy, and research methodologies, supported by a doctoral degree in urban planning or a related field. Expertise in GIS software, statistical tools, and familiarity with zoning and environmental regulations are highly valued. Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and project management skills help facilitate effective collaboration and leadership in multidisciplinary teams. These competencies enable professionals to design impactful urban solutions, drive policy innovation, and address complex planning challenges.

Are urban planning Phds in high demand?

Urban planning PhDs are in moderate demand, primarily in government agencies, research institutions, and consulting firms focused on sustainable development and infrastructure. Advanced degrees can lead to higher-level positions, but job availability depends on regional development projects and funding priorities.
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Urban Planning Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Urban Planning Phd job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,259 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Assistant Professor of Teaching of Urban Planning

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAexternal

Other

Posted 10 days ago

UCLA rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The Department of Urban Planning in the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin School of Public Affairs seeks an Assistant Professor of Teaching who will contribute to the Department’s teaching mission, including a new Master of Global Public Affairs.
We seek scholars from urban planning, sociology, geography, political science, public policy, economics, and related fields whose work relates to Global Public Affairs, broadly defined. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to comparative urbanization, land use, public finance and taxation, environment and climate, infrastructure, transportation, social policies, labor, social movements, innovation and technology, human rights, and immigration. Applicants’ research should be policy relevant, and applicants should be prepared to teach core and elective courses to master’s and undergraduate students. The standard teaching load for this position is six courses across three quarters. The successful applicant’s teaching and research should primarily focus on contexts outside of North America, for example in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa.
The Professor of Teaching is a Senate Faculty position series that is used for appointees who are members of the faculty of an academic or professional college, school, division, department, or program of the University whose primary responsibility is teaching and teaching-related tasks and secondary responsibility is professional and/or scholarly achievement and activity, including creative activity, especially as they relate to instruction and pedagogy. The faculty in this series also have responsibility for University and Public Service. “Intellectual attainment, as evidenced particularly in excellent teaching and secondarily in professional and/or scholarly achievement and activity, is an indispensable qualification for appointment or promotion to Associate or Full Professor of Teaching.” (Apm 285). Although this is primarily a teaching position where promotion is determined primarily by teaching quality, the department does prefer a candidate who also has an established research agenda, and that research be a secondary aspect of promotion.
UCLA’s Urban Planning Department currently hosts 21 tenured/tenure-track planning faculty, 6 affiliated tenured/tenure-track faculty, 3 active professors emeriti, 35 PhD students, and 150 master’s students. We are a multidisciplinary department with a tradition of intellectual leadership in urban studies and planning, and our students and alumni have long been known for their passionate commitment to progressive planning ideals. The Department offers a Master of Urban Planning degree, a PhD program, undergraduate courses, a Master of Real Estate Development, and the new position will contribute courses to a new Master of Global Public Affairs (MGPA) to be launched in Fall 2027. The MGPA is a two-year interdepartmental program that emphasizes rigorous training in problem formulation, policy design, and impact evaluation for students planning to work at the intersection of local and global issues across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Los Angeles is a global city renowned for its dynamism, robust economy, rich cultural diversity, and spectacular climate. The generously endowed Luskin School of Public Affairs is home to the departments of Public Policy, Social Welfare, and Urban Planning, and undergraduate program in public affairs, and three minors, as well as twelve research centers. UCLA is a leading global university and among the top-ranked public universities in the US.

A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., urban planning, sociology, geography, political science, etc, or a related discipline) is required by the time of appointment.

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