1

Urban Planning Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conduct research on vacant property management, neighborhood revitalization, and planning best ... Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Community Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Public ...

Conduct research on vacant property management, neighborhood revitalization, and planning best ... Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Community Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Public ...

If you are passionate about urban planning, community engagement, and making a tangible impact, we ... Research, draft, and recommend amendments to City ordinances and master plans. Stay ahead of State ...

Planner Technician

Highland, UT · On-site

$27.88 - $39.03/hr

If you are passionate about urban planning, community engagement, and making a tangible impact, we ... Research, draft, and recommend amendments to City ordinances and master plans. Stay ahead of State ...

Planner Technician

American Fork, UT · On-site

$27.88 - $39.03/hr

If you are passionate about urban planning, community engagement, and making a tangible impact, we ... Research, draft, and recommend amendments to City ordinances and master plans. Stay ahead of State ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Urban Planning Research information

See salary details

$37K

$106K

$142.5K

How much do urban planning research jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for urban planning research in the United States is $106,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Urban Planning Research job involve?

An Urban Planning Research job focuses on studying and analyzing urban development, land use, transportation, and environmental planning to inform policies and decision-making. Professionals in this role collect data, evaluate trends, and provide recommendations to improve city infrastructure, sustainability, and livability. They may work for government agencies, private firms, or research institutions, collaborating with urban planners, architects, and policymakers. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS), and an understanding of zoning laws are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Urban Planning Research position, and why are they important?

To excel in Urban Planning Research, you need a background in urban studies, geography, or a related field, with strong analytical, data interpretation, and research skills. Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical analysis software like SPSS or R, and urban planning tools is highly valued, alongside possible certification from professional planning organizations. Effective communication, attention to detail, and collaborative abilities are essential soft skills for synthesizing information and working with interdisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for producing high-quality research that informs policy, supports sustainable development, and addresses complex urban challenges.

What does a typical day look like for someone in Urban Planning Research?

A typical day in Urban Planning Research often involves collecting and analyzing data on land use, zoning, and population trends, as well as preparing reports and visualizations to present findings. Researchers may attend meetings with public officials, urban planners, or community stakeholders to discuss project developments and policy implications. Collaboration is common, so you might work alongside transportation experts, environmental scientists, and economists to ensure a holistic approach. The work is a blend of independent research, teamwork, and communication, providing a dynamic and impactful role.

More about Urban Planning Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Urban Planning Research jobs? Cities with the most Urban Planning Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Urban Planning Research jobs? The most popular types of Urban Planning Research jobs are:
What states have the most Urban Planning Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Urban Planning Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Urban Planning Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,012 per year, or $51 per hour.
Associate/Professor - Urban Planning and Policy

Associate/Professor - Urban Planning and Policy

University of Illinois

Chicago, IL

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Department of Urban Planning and Policy in the College of Urban Planning and PublicAffairs at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) plans to hire a tenuredfaculty member at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.  Candidatesmust have an earned PhD in urban planning or a closely related field and havean academic profile commensurate with a tenured faculty line. Successfulcandidates will teach a 2:2 load each academic year.

TheDepartment of Urban Planning and Policy currently offers an undergraduateprogram (B.A.) in Urban Studies, and three graduate degrees: the Master inUrban Planning and Policy (MUPP), the Master in City Design, and the Ph.D. inUrban Planning and Policy. Established 51 years ago and comprising fivespecializations - community development, economic development, environmentalplanning and policy, spatial planning, and urban transportation - our MUPPprogram is one of the largest planning programs in North America. The selectedcandidate will teach in the department's undergraduate and graduate programsand is expected to develop a research agenda that advances the department'smission to critically address contemporary urban challenges and reduce socialand spatial inequities.

TheCollege of Urban Planning and Public Affairs was created in 1995 as part ofUIC's Great Cities Initiative. In addition to UPP, the college houses theDepartment of Public Policy, Management, and Analytics, as well as sevenresearch centers: the Center for Urban Economic Development, the GovernmentFinance Research Center, the Great Cities Institute, the Institute for Policyand Civic Engagement, the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, theUrban Transportation Center, and the Voorhees Center for Neighborhood andCommunity Improvement.

Position Summary
We seek a scholarwhose research and teaching critically engages with community development andimmigration in U.S. urban regions. The successful candidate will contribute toadvancing equitable, community-engaged planning practices that support immigrantand migrant communities and address the social, spatial, and institutionalchallenges they face. We are particularly interested in candidates whose workfocuses on one or more of the following areas:

Community development and immigrant integration: Including immigrant-serving organizations, neighborhood-based initiatives, migrant civil society, mutual aid networks, and grassroots forms of community building and governance.

Housing, health, and social service interventions: Focusing on access to and delivery of housing, public health, and/or social services in immigrant communities, including innovative or community-led service models responding to inequality, informality, and precarity.

Informal economies and urban livelihoods: Including a focus on informal activities such as street vending, day labor, and other livelihood strategies, as well as planning and policy responses to support economic inclusion and worker protections.

Policing, enforcement, and community response: Including research on immigrant communities' interactions with systems of policing, immigration enforcement, and surveillance, as well as community-based strategies of resistance, protection, and advocacy.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Teach in the department's graduate and undergraduate programs with a typical teaching load of 2:2 per academic year.
  • Develop a research program that makes an identifiable contribution to the study of urban planning, urban studies, or a related subfield.
  • Participate in departmental governance and conduct service and outreach that advances the mission of the department, the college, and the university.
  • Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

  • University of Illinois logo

    About University of Illinois

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    The University of Illinois, located in Urbana, Illinois, US, is a prominent entity in the higher education sector. Operating its official functions through its website uillinois.edu, the institution provides a range of educational programs and services. The University was founded in 1867 and has since grown dramatically both in size and reputation. Its core values are embodied in its mission to enhance the lives of its students and citizens in the state, nation, and world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development. The university boasts several notable achievements including producing Nobel laureates and Pulitzer prize winners. It is renowned for its research programs and is known for significant advancements across various fields including engineering, science, and humanities.

    Industry

    Colleges, universities, and professional schools

    Company size

    5,001 - 10,000 Employees

    Headquarters location

    Urbana, IL, US

    Year founded

    1974

    Social media