Employment Prospects
Employers
About 45,200 urban and regional planners are employed in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The majority (71 percent) work for local governments. Many others work in the private sector for architectural, engineering, scientific, management, and technical consulting companies. State and federal government agencies that focus on housing, transportation, or environmental protection also employ planners.
Starting Out
Many environmental planners get their start while in school, working part time or interning with an environmental or urban planning agency. Professional associations such as the American Planning Association and the National Association of Environmental Professionals also offer numerous resources, including networking opportunities and job listings.
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- Biofuels Processing Technicians
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- Congressional Aides
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Managers
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- Drafters
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- Energy Brokers
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- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
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- Environmental Scientists
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- EPA Special Agents
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- Federal and State Officials
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Foreign Service Officers
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- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Fuel Cell Technology Workers
- Furniture Designers
- Futurists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
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- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
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- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
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- Industrial Designers
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- Interior Designers and Decorators
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- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
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- Meteorologists
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- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
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- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
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- National Park Service Employees
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- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
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- Political Consultants
- Political Reporters
- Political Scientists
- Political Speechwriters
- Press Secretaries
- Public Opinion Researchers
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- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
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- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
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- Solar Energy Installation Managers
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- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
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