What does a Transportation Planner do?

Transportation planners work alongside government agencies to help select and develop plans to organize mass transit. They create routes for community use, including walking, bicycling, busing, or by rail. They utilize engineering science and technology and consider the safety, environmental, and efficiency issues involved, including land use or infrastructure analysis. They allocate resources and develop projects, and they are responsible for identifying the needs, plans, estimates, and adherence to regulations.

Transportation planners write concise reports that describe features and available options while making recommendations. They answer inquiries from the public, environmental groups, government bodies and agencies, the business community, and any funding partners and liaise with stakeholders. Transportation managers model solutions and test actions before final implementation occurs and may be called upon to act as expert witnesses at a public inquiry. Transportation planners need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related fields.

What responsibilities are common for Transportation Planner jobs?
  • Prepare project requirements, constraints, opportunity mapping and required analysis.
  • Assist in the preparation for and participation in client and stakeholder information meetings, site data collection visits, stakeholder interviews, charrettes, and in-progress reviews.
  • Prepare viable project alternatives for evaluation including adaptive reuse, repair, modernization and new construction. and lead preparation of proposed capital investments plans.
  • Perform site visits to any of the 160 site locations to assist with host communication, establish facilities condition assessment standard business processes, and ensure policy compliance.
What are the typical qualifications for Transportation Planner jobs?
  • Bachelor's Degree in computer science, computer information systems, engineering or business, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience with GIS, AutoCAD, GIT, ACIP, CSCP, AS/400, and CAD software and systems.
  • Comfortable collaborating with others and is an excellent communicator with all involved parties.
  • A problem solver with a demonstrated sound judgment and work ethic.
Education--
Work/Life Balance
3.6 ★
Total Pay--
Career Opportunity
3.5 ★
Avg. Experience2-4 years

How much does a Transportation Planner make?

Confident
$75,481 /yr
Total Pay
$69,858
 /yr

Base Pay

+
$5,623
 /yr

Additional Pay

$75,481

 / yr
$52K$111K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range
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Transportation Planner Career Path

Learn how to become a Transportation Planner, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Transportation Planner

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
27%
2 - 4
39%
5 - 7
16%
8+
18%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Transportation Planner Insights

Read what Transportation Planner professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
KeterKeter
Transportation Planner
Aug 10, 2021

“I felt like the training was a little unorganized and at first there isn’t much to do so it was really boring.”

CEMEXCEMEX
Graduate Transport Planner
Jan 27, 2022

“Job satisfaction is great and good”

City of Federal Way, WashingtonCity of Federal Way, Washington
Transportation Planner
Mar 9, 2023

“Starting in December my manager stopped my weekly 1:1’s and I started to feel isolated and alone.”

AtkinsAtkins
Graduate Transport Planner
May 23, 2021

“Poor at career development and recognition”

ArupArup
Graduate Transport Planner
Feb 10, 2023

“Passionate and talented people to work with.”

Mott MacDonaldMott MacDonald
Senior Transport Planner
Jan 4, 2022

“Lots of development opportunities and good people to work with.”

KIPDAKIPDA
Transportation Planner III
Jul 20, 2022

“Can be close to home”

JacobsJacobs
Graduate Transport Planner
Feb 17, 2021

“It is overall a great place to start your career”

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Transportation Planner Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Transportation Planner

The most similar professions to Transportation Planner are:
  • Planner
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Material Planner
  • Production Planner

Related Careers

Planner
$71,330
No skills overlap
Supply Chain Manager
$84,598
No skills overlap
Material Planner
$64,178
No skills overlap
Production Planner
$61,349
No skills overlap

Transportation Planner Jobs