Environmental Planner — Salary, Qualifications & Career Path

Would you like to help prevent environmental harm as your job? If we’re to meet the needs of our communities, then we need people like you who can help to create access to housing, clean water, and energy in a way that preserves and protects our natural world. As an environmental planner, you could help ensure the coexistence of humans and the natural environment, see results of your work and build an impactful career.

Here’s what you need to know about this multidisciplinary field, including required skills, experience, salary and how you can work toward being an environmental planner.

What Is Environmental Planning?

Environmental planning is about analyzing and minimizing the environmental impacts of proposed urban and regional projects, whether it’s for housing, transportation or infrastructure. While traditional development planning focuses on how land and resources are used, environmental planning ensures those decisions have minimal impacts on the natural environment and can work in harmony with it.

Environmental planners are used to ensure that development projects meet all relevant environmental laws and regulations. Their work is guided by a set of interconnected goals:

• Balance ecological preservation and development so that communities can grow without harming the natural systems that support them
• Conserve biodiversity within an area by protecting species and habitats from fragmentation, pollution or overuse
• Ensure sustainable resource management so future generations inherit an environment capable of supporting them
• Enhance resilience against environmental risks such as flooding, wildfires, drought or sea-level rise

Environmental planners often share responsibilities with environmental managers or sustainability program managers. All three roles involve evaluating projects for environmental performance, engaging with stakeholders and developing strategies that make communities both livable and environmentally responsible.

What Does an Environmental Planner Do?

Environmental planners are the professionals who make sure development and conservation can coexist. Their job is to analyze and evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects—anything from a new shopping center to a major transportation corridor—and ensure that those projects will adhere to established laws and regulations before moving forward. This often means providing technical and strategic support for zoning approvals and land entitlements (which are the legal permissions to develop land).

Their work is guided by both professional ethics and government regulations, ensuring that the safety of humans, plants, animals, land and waterways is never compromised. Environmental planners can work for federal or state agencies, as consultants or for private enterprises. Depending on who they work for and the areas they analyze, an environmental planner’s workflow can consist of any of the following responsibilities:

• Studying proposals and plans to identify ways to mitigate or prevent environmental impacts before construction begins
• Designing restoration projects such as large-scale tree plantings, wetland rehabilitation or meadow creation to repair damaged ecosystems
• Coordinating with architects, government agencies and contractors to interpret environmental regulations and make sure permits are secured
• Ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal, state and local environmental regulations
• Screening environmental resources to reduce health hazards and improve safety for both people and wildlife
• Facilitating the environmental permitting process, which can involve technical assessments, public hearings and legal documentation
• Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze spatial data and model environmental impacts
• Conducting fieldwork to identify plants, assess soil and water conditions and gather on-the-ground data
• Writing environmental reports that clearly explain findings, risks and recommended actions

Example projects for an environmental planner might include reviewing an environmental impact assessment for a new highway, meeting with community members to discuss land use concerns or helping coastal city developers strategize for climate adaptation.

Their duties sometimes overlap with environmental engineers, such as when creating projects to remedy environmental damage, or with environmental consultants, who work with both public and private clients to address environmental challenges.

What Is the Average Salary for an Environmental Planner?

Salaries for environmental planners depend on the type of employer, geographic region and level of experience. Planners who work for private industry tend to be paid higher, while government planners have access to more benefits. Senior environmental planners will also command a higher salary.

As of 2025, Payscale lists an average base salary of $72,000 for environmental planners, while Glassdoor reports a salary range of $81,000 to $141,000. Job growth outlook for Urban and Regional planners is solid, and is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

What Skills Are Needed to Become an Environmental Planner?

Environmental planning is a profession that blends science, policy and communication, which requires a well-rounded set of technical abilities, analytical thinking and people skills. At the most fundamental level, environmental planners must:

• Understand ecological processes, especially how ecosystems function, how species interact and how human activities affect natural systems.
• Navigate complex legal frameworks, from local zoning codes to federal environmental protection laws.
• Translate technical findings into clear recommendations so that policymakers, developers and community members can make informed decisions.

To excel as an environmental planner, you’ll need to develop the following skills:

• Technical and Analytical Skills
  You need technical expertise, including proficiency in using GIS for mapping, spatial analysis and visualizing environmental data. You’ll apply land-use planning principles to understand how development projects will interact with surrounding environments and will conduct and interpret Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and other environmental review processes. You must also be skilled in data analysis, which will allow you to assess environmental risks and model potential outcomes.
• Regulatory and Policy Knowledge
  A solid understanding of environmental laws and regulations, such as the NEPA, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and related state and local requirements, is essential. As an environmental planner, you must also be familiar with sustainable development principles and planning frameworks to ensure projects meet both legal and environmental goals.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
  Environmental planners must apply strong analytical reasoning to evaluate the complex and interrelated economic, ecological and social dimensions of proposed projects. Creative problem-solving skills are equally important, allowing you to design solutions that balance environmental protection with development needs.
• Communication Skills
  Clear writing and editing skills are necessary for producing environmental reports, policy briefs and public outreach materials. You’ll also need to be confident in your communication when presenting findings, leading public meetings and explaining complex environmental topics to non-specialist audiences.
• Collaboration and People Skills
  Because environmental planning often involves diverse stakeholders, you’ll need strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to work through disagreements between developers, community groups and regulators. You’ll also collaborate closely with architects, engineers, scientists and government officials to achieve shared goals.
• Field and Practical Skills
  As an environmental planner, you’ll spend time in the field identifying plant and animal species, collecting soil and water samples, and assessing environmental conditions firsthand. You’ll need to know how to integrate field observations with GIS data and regulatory requirements to form comprehensive project evaluations.
• Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
  Given the constant evolution of environmental regulations, emerging technologies and climate science, your career will be one of continuous learning. You’ll need the flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and unexpected challenges throughout a project’s lifecycle.

What Are the Preferred Qualifications for Environmental Planners?

While there’s no single path to a career in environmental planning, certain certifications and degrees can give you a competitive edge, signal your expertise to employers and open doors to more advanced or specialized roles.

• Certifications
  Professional certifications demonstrate that you’ve met recognized standards of knowledge and experience in your field. Some relevant certifications for environmental planning include:

See our Best Sustainability Certifications and Certificate Programs blog post for a more detailed look at some of the most recognized certification programs and frameworks.

• Degrees
  Most environmental planning roles require at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, urban planning, civil or environmental engineering or geography. To strengthen your academic foundation, try to prioritize courses that will prepare you for both the technical and policy dimensions of the job, such as:
  • Environmental law
  • Planning theory
  • Statistics
  • Environmental impact analysis

Earning a master’s degree can make you a more competitive job candidate, especially for roles in urban and regional planning. For example, positions related to environmental policy advising, sustainable infrastructure or biodiversity conservation often favor candidates with advanced degrees. A graduate degree can also position you for leadership opportunities and, in some cases, lead to higher salaries.

Interdisciplinary studies can help build your expertise and experience in working with other professionals and understanding just how energy, health, environment and justice intersect. The University of San Diego’s MS in Engineering, Sustainability and Health (MESH) program, for example, brings together students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to address complex sustainability challenges with both technical knowledge and social awareness.

Where Does an Environmental Planner Work?

Environmental planners can be found in a wide range of workplaces, reflecting the broad scope of their skills and the many sectors that depend on sustainable land use and environmental protection. Most will find employment either in the government sector, working for private firms or nonprofit organizations.

• Government agencies
  • At the federal level, environmental planners may be involved in national infrastructure projects, public lands management or climate adaptation initiatives through agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Park Service or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • State governments often employ planners to manage statewide environmental policies, review large-scale development proposals or oversee natural resource conservation.
  • At the local level, environmental planners frequently work in city or county planning departments, where they guide zoning decisions, review development applications and implement community sustainability plans.
• Private consulting firms
  • Consulting firms provide environmental planning services to both public and private clients. These consultants might assess the environmental impacts of a new transportation corridor, help a corporation meet regulatory requirements or design restoration projects for wetlands or coastal areas. The consulting route often offers variety, as planners may work on projects across multiple industries and regions.
• Nonprofit organizations
  • Nonprofits often focus on environmental advocacy, land conservation, sustainable development or community education. In these roles, environmental planners might conduct research, develop public outreach campaigns or partner with local governments and businesses to implement sustainability initiatives.

Environmental planners find work wherever development decisions intersect with environmental responsibility, from the corridors of government offices to boardrooms of consulting firms to the grassroots operations of community nonprofits.

A search for environmental planner job positions in the summer of 2025 found open positions across different industries for a range of public and private employers, including:

How Do I Become an Environmental Planner?

Like for most successful professionals, the best advice for becoming an environmental planner is to combine formal education, hands-on experience and steady skill development. The goal isn’t just to check off job requirements, but to build the ability to work across disciplines, communicate effectively with a range of audiences and respond to complex environmental and social challenges with a diverse toolkit of skills and expertise.

Many professionals follow a path that looks like this:

1. Enroll in a degree program
   Start with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as environmental science, urban or regional planning, civil or environmental engineering or geography. The goal is to build the scientific foundation and policy awareness needed for the role.

   If you know you want to specialize or aim for higher-level positions, consider pursuing a master’s degree in planning or a related discipline, such as with USD’s MESH program, which brings together multiple disciplines to address sustainability challenges.

2. Consider your sector
   Think about where you might want to work at government agencies, private consulting firms or nonprofit organizations, because each has a different focus:
   • Government work often involves regulatory oversight and policy implementation
   • Consulting tends to emphasize project-based problem-solving for various clients
   • Nonprofit roles may focus on advocacy and community-driven projects.
3. Get experience in the field
   Seek out internships, volunteer opportunities or part-time roles with planning departments, environmental consulting firms or local conservation groups. Even short-term experiences will help you apply what you’re learning in the classroom and give you a sense of how environmental planners work day to day. Consulting projects—paid or volunteer—are especially valuable for developing a portfolio of work you can share with employers.
4. Earn a certification
   Certifications can help you stand out. Consider credentials like the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) or Registered Environmental Manager (REM). If your work overlaps with engineering, you may also benefit from a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
5. Build a network and find mentors
   Environmental planning is a people-focused profession. Attend conferences, join professional organizations and participate in community planning meetings. Seek out mentors who can offer career advice, connect you to opportunities and help you navigate the challenges of the profession. Your network can be just as important as your résumé when it comes to finding the right job.

If you’re passionate about our environment and collaborating with other professionals across disciplines, consider exploring the online MESH program at the University of San Diego. Designed for those who want to work at the intersection of environment, health and social justice, MESH supports students in building the knowledge, tools and relationships needed to lead change across sectors.

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