Urban Planner.
Albany.
$72,000
median salary, at the national average
$56,000 to $95,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Urban Planners actually make in Albany: $56,000 at the 25th percentile, $72,000 at the median, and $95,000 at the 75th. That is right at the national average. Albany is New York's capital and a growing semiconductor hub, with GlobalFoundries and the SUNY Polytechnic Institute driving chip manufacturing employment. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $65,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$47,000
to $58,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$61,000
to $76,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$79,000
to $94,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$90,000
to $112,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $17,000 to the total package.
Base
$72,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $89,000
How Albany compares
Albany, NY
$72,000
Cost of living: 4% below average
National Average
$72,000
Same as local rate
Urban Planner salary by city
Salary by role in Albany
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Urban Planner roles in Albany, here is what you are walking into. Albany is New York's capital and a growing semiconductor hub, with GlobalFoundries and the SUNY Polytechnic Institute driving chip manufacturing employment. State government is the largest employer. The cost of living is dramatically lower than NYC while still offering strong tech salaries. Employer type and specialization area create the most variation. Planners in transportation, environmental, or economic development earn 10 to 20% more than generalists. Private consulting firms pay higher base salaries than municipalities but with less job security. AICP certification and GIS proficiency boost earning potential at all levels.
Junior planners start at $56,000 to $65,000. Senior planners with AICP certification earn $72,000 to $95,000 after five to seven years. Planning directors at municipalities reach $100,000 to $140,000, with community development directors exceeding $150,000 in large cities. In Albany, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Municipal planners receive generous public benefits, pension plans, and steady 2 to 4% annual step increases. Private sector planners earn 8 to 12% bonuses tied to project billing. Some jurisdictions offer housing assistance for planners working in high-cost areas. And on the tax side: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%. Albany has no additional city income tax (unlike NYC). The lower cost of living and absence of city tax makes take home pay more competitive than downstate. When someone quotes you $72,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the semiconductor investment corridor. GlobalFoundries and related suppliers are paying nationally competitive rates to attract engineering talent to the Capital Region. The range for Urban Planners in Albany runs from $56,000 to $95,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Data Analyst in Albany earns $73,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Albany is Distinguished Engineer at $307,000
Common questions.
Urban Planner salary in other cities
Other salaries in Albany
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.