How To Become A Senior Planner: What It Is and Career Path

What is a senior planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Alec Brownlow Ph.D.

The duties of a senior planner vary widely depending on the industry. However, the job often consists of overseeing and implementing business plans for an organization. They can work for both private as well as non-profit foundations. They develop business policies and procedures, hence the need for creative planning experience.

The duties and responsibilities that you will perform within this capacity include performing advanced professional work related to a variety of planning assignments. Moreover, you will also manage complex planning studies, development applications and review consultant proposals. You will also review and process complex, comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, annexations, site plans, and more, among others.

Essential skills required for the position include project management, customer service, logistics, leadership, and organizational skills. For such a senior position, the educational requirements include a master's degree in planning or a related field. Some Organizations may accept candidates with a bachelor's degree with six years or more professional experience in this field.

The average salary for the position is $40.30 an hour. This estimates to $83,830 annually. The career is expected to grow and result in various new job opportunities in the near future.

What general advice would you give to a Senior Planner?

Alec Brownlow Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Sustainable Urban Development, De Paul College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

My advice is, first, do not despair ... cities are going nowhere; nor are the professions associated with them (planning, governance, etc.). Cities still offer what other residential geographies (suburban, exurban, rural) do not and cannot - density, proximity, community, diversity, etc. These are still desirable elements in our assessment of the quality of life. However, as the COVID pandemic has demonstrated, some of these very qualities are now being looked at through a new lens; density, for example, is now a source of concern and vulnerability. Public transportation is being eyed as potential 'hot spots' of disease spread. There will be a 'new normal' in the entertainment landscape of restaurants, bars, clubs, museums, etc. Indoor venues are being eyed with suspicion, while outdoor venues are a potential growth pole. With all of this to consider - along with the fact that the old entrenched injustices and inequalities that have been part and parcel to the American city since its beginning 250 years ago are now, in the wake of George Floyd killing, spilling into the streets and garnering the unprecedented attention and participation of white people and communities - this is arguably a tipping point moment in the field of Urban Studies. Cities are going to change; cities must change; they are being demanded by people who live in cities where they change. The combined disciplines that constitute Urban Studies will be at the fore of reconsidering, reformulating, reenvisioning what cities will look like, what city planners, institutions, and political leaders must do, to ensure the viability of a safe, secure, and just urban landscape.

ScoreSenior PlannerUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $73,327

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.6

Growth Rate 18%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 6.03%

Black or African American 10.56%

Hispanic or Latino 16.95%

Unknown 4.73%

White 61.49%

Gender

female 36.33%

male 63.67%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress Level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.0

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a senior planner

Explore senior planner education requirements

Most common senior planner degrees

Bachelor's

68.1 %

Master's

18.0 %

Associate

9.4 %

Start to develop specific senior planner skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	12.91%
Customer Service	8.91%
Autocad	6.47%
Logistics	5.14%
MRP	4.31%

Complete relevant senior planner training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior planners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior planner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior planner resumes.

Gain additional senior planner certifications

Senior planner certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific senior planner certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for senior planners include Certified Planner (AICP) and AICP Certified Planners.

More About Certifications

Research senior planner duties and responsibilities

Manage logistics functions to achieve metrics for service level and inventory control assessing risks and ensuring resolution of constraints.
Manage applicable OEM products, insuring adequate worldwide inventory.
Manage forecast and release of KANBAN orders to pertinent suppliers.
Review SLA monthly with internal / external customers; manage ISO audits.

Get senior planner experience

Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior planner. The most common roles before becoming a senior planner include planner, buyer team lead and project manager.

Prepare your senior planner resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior planner resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Senior Planner Resume templates

Build a professional Senior Planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Senior Planner resume.

Apply for senior planner jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a senior planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do senior planners rate their job?

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Senior Planner reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021

Pros

I was a theater major who received my CMP and realized I could put on a production in the corporate world. Event Planning allows me to utilize my skillset in a way I didn't know was possible. I also have the opportunity to travel and most venues treat you well when you're the planner (if you're the one in charge of the event).

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019