Town Planner
Shape how towns and cities grow - balancing development, infrastructure and community needs.
This UK town planner career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,000 - £35,000
- Mid-career salary
- £40,000 - £55,000
- Senior salary
- £60,000 - £90,000
- Work environment
- Mixed site / office / field work
- Time to entry
- 3 - 5 years (RTPI-accredited route)
- Degree required
- Usually required
- Category
- Green Energy and Sustainability
What a Town Planner does
Shape how towns and cities grow - balancing development, infrastructure and community needs.
- Development Management - Process planning applications in a council.
- Planning Policy - Write local plans and supplementary guidance.
- Private Planning Consultancy - Run applications and appeals for developers.
- Heritage Planning - Listed-building and conservation-area work.
How to become a Town Planner
- Look up Town Planner roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Town Planner - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Planning policy
- Report writing
- Community engagement
- Negotiation
- GIS