Transportation planners design and improve systems that move people and goods. You'll analyze data, interpret findings for stakeholders, and use computers to solve real-world mobility challenges. The role requires a bachelor's degree and strong analytical thinking.
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Transportation planners gather and analyze information about traffic patterns, land use, and infrastructure needs. You interpret data to identify problems and communicate findings to government agencies, businesses, and the public. Your work involves studying geography and transportation systems, then using computers to model solutions. You might evaluate how a new road affects a region, plan transit routes, or assess environmental impacts. The role demands critical thinking to weigh competing needs and writing skills to present recommendations clearly.
Core work activities
Transportation Planners earn a median of $101,110 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 3,200 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your coursework will cover transportation systems, mathematics, geography, and law and government. During your studies, focus on building skills in data analysis, writing, and public speaking. Many planners intern with city or regional planning departments while in school. After graduation, you may start as an assistant planner or junior analyst, gaining experience before moving into senior planning roles. Job Zone 4 preparation means you'll need considerable time to develop the specialized knowledge this career requires.
Most transportation planners earn their bachelor's degree, though some combine education with early work experience in planning departments. The path depends on your timeline and whether you want to specialize further, so if you're mapping out your next steps, Pathly can map the transportation planner path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a transportation planner, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're a natural fit if you enjoy investigating problems, thinking critically about complex systems, and communicating findings clearly. Strong analytical skills and curiosity about how cities and regions work are core to this role.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).