Urban Planner Resume Guide with Examples [2025]

What Makes a Strong Urban Planner Resume?

An effective urban planner resume should be tailored to the role, emphasize relevant skills and achievements, and show quantifiable impact. Employers look for candidates who demonstrate expertise in zoning, land use, design software, and stakeholder engagement. If you’re applying for urban planner jobs, structure your resume using consistent formatting, concise bullet points, and action verbs. Also, ensure your urban planning portfolio is linked or attached to visually support your experience. 

Certifications like AICP or urban planner certification add strong credibility, especially in both the public and private sectors. To tailor your resume, always refer to the urban planner job description in the posting and mirror key duties and qualifications.

Top Urban Planner Resume Examples

1. Example 1 - Template

Your Name

Urban Planner

New York, NY • (123) 456-789 • yourname@resumeworded.com • linkedin.com/in/your-profile

EXPERIENCE

Resume Worded – Sydney, Australia

January 2021 - Present

Senior Urban Planner

• Initiated and oversaw urban regeneration projects worth over $10M, focusing on sustainable design and effective land use planning.
• Managed a team of 5 urban planners, promoting cross-functional collaboration and increasing department-wide productivity by 30%.

Parsons Corporation – Philadelphia, USA

March 2018 - December 2020

Urban Planner

• Developed project planning protocols that improved project completion rates by 20%.
• Coordinated with local and state government officials on permit acquisition and land use issues, decreasing delays by 15%.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill – Denver, USA

January 2015 - February 2018

Junior Urban Planner

• Leveraged Lumion software to create immersive 3D visuals, securing a $1M project bid.
• Contributed to design meetings while simultaneously gaining proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW

EDUCATION

Resume Worded Academic Center – Berlin, Germany

December 2017

Master's Degree in Urban Planning

• Specialization in Sustainable Urban Development

Resume Worded University – Boston, USA

May 2014

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

• Recipient of Architecture Excellence Award, Top 5% of class
• Minors in Environmental Sciences and Economics

SKILLS

• Urban Planning Software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, ArcGIS, Civil 3D, Revit, Bluebeam Revu, Rhino Urban, Synchro
• Project Management: Agile/Scrum methodologies, Jira, Microsoft Project, Google Workspace
• Research and Data Analysis: Qualitative & Quantitative Research, Economic Impact Analysis, SPSS, Stata, Microsoft Excel
• Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Fluent), French (Conversational)

OTHER

• Certifications: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP Certification), Certified Environmental Planner (CEP)
• Leadership & Volunteering: Urban Land Institute (ULI, Committee Member), Habitat for Humanity (Volunteer Architect)
• Projects: Led the 'Green City Blueprint' initiative, resulting in a 30% increase in green spaces
• Awards and Recognitions: Parsons Corporation 'Leader of the Year' (2019), 'Innovator of the Year' at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (2017)

2. Example 2 - Urban Planner Resume

Alex Johnson

Urban Planner

Chicago, IL • (555) 321-987 • aljohnson@email.com • linkedin.cominjohnson

EXPERIENCE

AECOM – Chicago, USA

February 2021 – Present

Urban Planner

• Designed comprehensive zoning strategies across 5 neighborhoods, reducing non-compliance incidents by 40%.
• Collaborated with architects and engineers to integrate inclusive pedestrian and bike-friendly design standards.
• Developed environmental impact assessments for two mixed-use redevelopment zones.

HDR – Seattle, USA

April 2018 – January 2021

Urban Planning Associate

• Supported the drafting of the City of Seattle’s 2040 Master Plan with a focus on housing equity.
• Assisted in crafting regional climate resilience strategies adopted by two counties.

City of Oakland – Oakland, USA

July 2015 – March 2018

Planning Intern

• Compiled historical and economic data to assist senior planners in formulating redevelopment guidelines.
• Designed an urban planning portfolio showcasing zoning overlays and spatial land-use scenarios.

EDUCATION

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, USA

May 2015

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

California State University – Sacramento, USA

May 2013

Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies

SKILLS

• Software: ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Bluebeam Revu, Revit, SketchUp, Rhino
• Planning Tools: CommunityViz, Envision Tomorrow, Synchro
• Languages: English (Fluent), Mandarin (Intermediate)
• Certifications: Certified Urban Planner (AICP, 2021)
• Awards: HDR Emerging Planner Award (2020)

This resume suits individuals targeting entry-level positions and aligning with the average junior urban planner salary of $93,000/year as reported by Glassdoor.

Which Skills and Softwares Should You Highlight?

Modern employers expect a diverse blend of analytical, design, and soft skills. The most in-demand urban planner resume skills include:

• Technical: ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Synchro, Civil 3D
• Communication: public engagement, presentations, stakeholder facilitation
• Research & analysis: impact studies, zoning reviews, data modeling
• Visuals: Adobe Creative Suite, Lumion, Rhino Urban
• Project tools: MS Project, Jira, Agile planning

Make sure to include software experience in your urban planner resume and link to a strong urban planning portfolio. Using a good urban planning portfolio template helps organize project visuals. These are essential for both junior roles and senior-level jobs, with a senior urban planner salary ranging from $86,000 to $155,000 depending on location.

What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Planning Resume?

1. Using vague language like “worked on city plans” instead of “led zoning review for 4 city blocks.”

2. Skipping certifications like the urban planner certification, especially if you’re a certified urban planner.

3. Omitting software skills relevant to urban planner job responsibilities.

4. Leaving out quantifiable outcomes and public engagement efforts.

5. Failing to demonstrate understanding of urban planner job duties, such as compliance, land use, and traffic design.

6. Not linking to a visual urban planning portfolio, which can make your application less competitive.