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Tetra Tech

Urban Planning Specialist - Ponce, PR

Ponce, PR · On-site +1

$65K - $85K/yr

Working under the direction of the Senior Urban Planning Lead, this position will assist in the development of planning strategies, municipal assessments, stakeholder outreach efforts, technical ...

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How much do urban planning jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for urban planning in the United States is $75,033.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is urban planning?

Urban planning is the process of designing and organizing the physical, social, and economic development of cities and towns. Urban planners work to create sustainable, functional, and attractive environments by managing land use, transportation systems, public spaces, and infrastructure. Their work involves balancing the needs of communities, businesses, and the environment, often through collaboration with government officials, architects, and the public. Effective urban planning helps communities grow and thrive while addressing challenges like housing, traffic congestion, and environmental sustainability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an urban planner?

To thrive as an Urban Planner, you need a strong background in urban design, land use planning, and environmental policy, often supported by a degree in urban planning or a related field. Experience with GIS software, zoning codes, and public engagement platforms is typically required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills set outstanding planners apart by enabling effective collaboration with stakeholders and the public. These skills ensure the development of sustainable, functional, and equitable urban environments that meet community needs.

How does an urban planner typically collaborate with other professionals and stakeholders during a project?

Urban planners work closely with a range of professionals such as civil engineers, architects, public officials, and community members to develop and implement plans for land use and urban growth. Collaboration often involves attending meetings, conducting public consultations, and integrating feedback from various stakeholders to ensure projects meet regulatory requirements and community needs. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as urban planners must balance diverse interests while creating sustainable and functional urban environments.

What is the difference between Urban Planning vs City Planning?

AspectUrban PlanningCity Planning
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning, Geography, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentPublic agencies, consulting firms, non-profitsMunicipal government, public agencies, private firms
Industry UsageUsed broadly for regional and community developmentOften focused on specific city or municipal projects

Urban Planning and City Planning are closely related fields, with overlapping credentials and work environments. Urban Planning generally covers broader regional or community development, while City Planning tends to focus on specific city-level projects. Both roles aim to improve urban spaces but differ in scope and scale.

Are urban planners in high demand?

Urban planners are in steady demand due to ongoing urban development, infrastructure projects, and the need for sustainable city growth. Employment opportunities are expected to grow at a rate faster than the average for all occupations, with skills in GIS and environmental planning being valuable. Job prospects are generally better in regions experiencing rapid growth or infrastructure investment.

Is urban planning a good career choice?

Urban planning is a viable career that involves designing and developing land use plans to create sustainable communities. It requires skills in analysis, communication, and knowledge of zoning laws, often supported by a degree in urban planning or related fields. Job prospects can vary based on location and government or private sector demand.

What jobs can you do with urban planning?

Urban planning graduates can pursue careers as urban planners, transportation planners, environmental planners, zoning officials, and community development specialists. These roles involve designing and managing land use, infrastructure, and public spaces, often requiring skills in GIS software, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
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What cities are hiring for Urban Planning jobs?

Cities with the most Urban Planning job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Urban Planning jobs?

The most popular types of Urban Planning jobs are:

What states have the most Urban Planning jobs?

States with the most job openings for Urban Planning jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Urban Planning jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Urban Planning jobs are:

urban planning jobs near you
Infographic showing various Urban Planning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,033 per year, or $36.1 per hour.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position
Details
Title
Professor of Urban Planning
School
Harvard Graduate School of Design
Department/Area
Urban Planning and Design
Position Description
The Department of Urban Planning and Design and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design (GSD) invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Professor of Urban Planning with tenure. The position of senior tenured professor is intended for individuals pursuing full-time academic careers whose record in scholarship and teaching is recognized by peers as a preeminent and enduring intellectual contribution to the field. We are seeking an internationally recognized planning scholar whose work engages with the built environment through a variety of disciplinary approaches. Experience with planning practice is a plus, as is a history of innovative teaching that addresses the designed environment. We are not specifying areas of expertise within the field, but we are especially interested in candidates who are committed to interdisciplinary engagement within the department and across the school and university.
Information about the Graduate School of Design (GSD) and Department of Urban Planning and Design: In the pursuit of more productive, equitable, sustainable, and beautiful built and natural environments, Harvard University's GSD offers a dynamic setting for the exchange of ideas across the fields of urban planning, urban design, real estate, architecture, landscape architecture, design studies, and design engineering.
Composed of internationally experienced scholars and practitioners, the faculty of the Department of Urban Planning and Design explores the designed environment from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and points of view. The Department offers graduate degrees in urban planning, urban design, and real estate and features a pedagogically diverse array of interdisciplinary studios, lecture courses, seminars, and independent research that consider practical and theoretical issues affecting cities and metropolitan areas globally. Roughly 200 students drawn from around the world work together and with the faculty to create an intimate, engaged educational atmosphere in which students thrive and learn.
The Department is built on the firm conviction that both classroom and community experiences are enriched by creating inclusive spaces for multiple perspectives to be surfaced, understood, and debated. The Department is committed to translating these values into its programmatic policies, practices, pedagogy, and methods of engagement in classroom settings, with one another, and the world outside the GSD.
Basic Qualifications
The school seeks to attract and retain individuals who possess a quality of mind demonstrating high levels of intelligence, clarity of expression, analytical ability, critical judgment, creativity, and initiative. We also value individuals who support free inquiry and expression by others and constructive, collegial collaborations with faculty, staff, and students. In the school's evaluation of candidates, desirable individual qualities and high potential are not substitutes for a record of academic and creative achievement. Accomplished contributions to the field through scholarship and/or design are essential to effective teaching over time. Continued study and investigation with public exposition of research and professional accomplishments are normal obligations for Harvard faculty members.
Candidates should demonstrate evidence of research productivity appropriate to their advanced career stage, including a sizeable record of refereed publications, invited talks, and national and international conference presentations. They should demonstrate the ability to secure external grant funds and the ability to lead research teams of graduate students and postdoctoral associates. Individuals in this position will employ their time teaching, conducting creative work in scholarship or practice, and fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service.
Appointments are made with tenure on a full-time basis with a requirement for residency in the Greater Boston area.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree appropriate to support an appointment to one of the GSD's senior positions in planning. Professional experience is welcomed as is experience in academic leadership.
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in September 2026.
Applicants should submit:
  • A cover letter
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • For candidates with practice experience, please feel free to include relevant materials, such as plans and design work, up to 15 mb.

Subsequent Submission: Candidates advancing in the selection process will be asked to provide additional material at a later date.
If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.
Contact Information
Katherine Igoe, Faculty Search Coordinator
Contact Email
katherine_igoe@gsd.harvard.edu
Salary Range
Professor (full-time, tenured) hiring range: $185,000+
Minimum Number of References Required
Maximum Number of References Allowed
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