Sources: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
California state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective September 14, 2026. These are the ranges California sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Transportation Planner Class 4768 Grade 4768 Range A | $4,928.00 – $5,598.00 a month $59,136 – $67,176 a year |
Grade 4768 Range B | $5,083.00 – $6,058.00 a month $60,996 – $72,696 a year |
Grade 4768 Range C | $6,096.00 – $7,633.00 a month $73,152 – $91,596 a year |
| Associate Planner Class 4643 Grade 4643 | $6,031.00 – $7,547.00 a month $72,372 – $90,564 a year |
| Senior Planner (Specialist) Class 4636 Grade 4636 | $7,276.00 – $9,107.00 a month $87,312 – $109,284 a year |
| Associate Transportation Planner Class 4721 Grade 4721 | $7,328.00 – $9,178.00 a month $87,936 – $110,136 a year |
| Senior Transportation Planner Class 4724 Grade 4724 | $8,678.00 – $10,783.00 a month $104,136 – $129,396 a year |
| Principal Transportation Planner Class 4723 Grade 4723 | $11,600.00 – $13,171.00 a month $139,200 – $158,052 a year |
Schedule: Civil Service Pay Scale (Section 17, by schematic code). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in California, all employers Sourced
Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051) in California, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | CA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 7,460 |
| 10th percentile | $77,430 |
| Median | $109,610 |
| 90th percentile | $166,950 |
| National median, government employers | $87,900 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for California
AICP Certification Exam (American Institute of Certified Planners)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Urban / City Planner page.