Salary
Average Salary: $65,230
Expected Lifetime Earnings: $2,723,000
Urban planners work for a variety of employers, including the government, corporations, nonprofits, or scientific research companies. Some are consultants, moving from project to project, and others work consistently at one location. Of course, your take home pay depends greatly on who is signing the check.
An average salary hovers around $65,000, with a range of $40,000 to $70,000 (give or take) (source). Planners employed by architectural or engineering firms tend to rake in the most dough, followed by consultants and those in scientific fields. Urban planners involved in local government tend to fall lower on the payment scale, but it's still a pretty decent haul.
Like many careers, urban planning is a bottom up business, you gotta keep climbing the ladder if you want to reach a high profile management position. Many planners start as interns, either on a paid or unpaid basis ("unpaid" translates to: "Think of all the experience you're getting, you lucky duck!") Most planner positions require two years or more of experience in the field, so internships are a great way to start (source).
Ethics are a big deal in urban planning. There's even a special code for it. At some point in your career, you may be tempted by a big business, politician, or special interest that reeeeeally wants to force their project through.
At times like these, you need to remember your Jedi training, and do what is best for the community and the environment...even though the other option may pad your bank account or get you on the good side of the bigwigs.