Government & Public SafetyCompare

Urban Planner

O*NET: Urban and Regional Planners·19-3051.00

The Verdict:Urban planners blend data analysis with community mediation, public meetings, and policy judgment that demand human navigation of social and political nuances. AI excels at maps, simulations, and reports, accelerating routine work while humans handle stakeholder disputes and approvals. The role adapts with tools but core human elements endure over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$84k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+3.4%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 5 of 25 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

20%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role has a mixed AI profile.
5 tasks are automatable, 44% reward AI fluency, and 9 remain human-essential.

5exposed

11AI leverage

9human-essential

View all 25 tasks

AI Can Handle This5 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.

Prepare reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning.

Prepare, develop and maintain maps and databases.

Prepare, maintain and update files and records, including land use data and statistics.

Research, compile, analyze and organize information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects.

AI Leverage11 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.

Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.

Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.

Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.

Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.

Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.

Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.

Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.

Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.

Investigate property availability for purposes of development.

Respond to public inquiries and complaints.

Human Advantage9 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.

Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.

Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.

Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.

Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.

Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.

Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.

Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.

Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.

Resilience Landscape

Urban Planner lands in Stable & Well-Paid

Higher Resilience Paths in Government & Public Safety

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Urban Planner

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Resilience Landscape

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