2153-NOC

Urban and land use planners

(NOC 21202)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$101,965
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
1,140

Career Overview

Urban and land use planners develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services for urban and rural areas and remote regions.

People in this career work for all levels of government, land developers, engineering and other consulting companies, or as private consultants.

Duties

Urban and land use planners perform the following duties:

  • Compile and analyze data affecting land use, such as demographics, economics, law, politics, culture, sociological factors and physical characteristics
  • Meet with civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, the public and special interest groups and municipal, provincial and federal authorities to develop land use and community plans
  • Prepare and recommend land development concepts and plans for zoning, subdivisions, transportation, public utilities, community facilities, parks and agricultural and other land uses
  • Prepare plans for environmental protection, such as wildlife preserves, protection of watersheds and national and provincial parks
  • Present plans to civic, rural and regional authorities
  • Hold public meetings to present plans, proposals or planning studies to the general public and special interest groups
  • Review and evaluate proposals for land use and development plans
  • Prepare recommendations for land use and development plans
  • Process applications for land development permits
  • Carry out land use plans and zoning by-laws
  • Plan long-range goals and policies regarding future land use and the protection of the environment
  • Supervise and coordinate work of urban planning technicians and technologists

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$101,965

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$62.50/hr
Median$48.89/hr
Low$30.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

2,935

% Employed Full Time

74%
Source: 2021 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office.

Career Pathways

Promotion to management positions in planning is possible with experience.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

Community and urban planner
Environmental planner
Land use planner
Municipal planner
Park planner
Planner
Recreation planner
Regional planner
Urban planner

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, architecture, engineering or a related discipline is required
  • A master's degree in one of these disciplines may be required
  • Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is usually required
  • Membership in a provincial planning institute may be required in some provinces
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Geography (Arts)
  • Geography/Earth Sciences Related
  • Architecture
  • Community and Regional Planning (Science)
  • Community and Regional Planning (Arts)
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

78%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

78%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

78%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

75%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

75%
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

75%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

72%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

68%
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, while meeting the goals of the system.

68%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

65%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

2,935
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 60 2.0%
Kootenay 95 3.2%
Mainland/Southwest 1,810 61.7%
North Coast and Nechako 50 1.7%
Northeast 35 1.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 215 7.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 665 22.7%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

1,140
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 20 -0.3%
Kootenay 30 0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 670 1.2%
North Coast and Nechako 10 0.1%
Northeast 10 -0.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 90 1.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 330 1.8%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Public Administration560
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services260
Transportation And Warehousing70
Information, Culture And Recreation40
Construction40
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources