How To Become A Planning Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a planning technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Connie Ozawa Ph.D.

Planning Technicians answer questions about the planning permission application process. These officers collect, analyze, and record data on the status of planning permission applications, and they review and study relevant legislation and statutes. Furthermore, they collaborate with developers to ensure that developments adhere to planning policies. They meet with property developers and other private clients to discuss ways to get planning permission for development and suggest plan amendments, develop, review, and read technical drawings and maps.

As a Planning Technician, oral communication, personal and social skills are important. Since gathering relevant information to solve practical problems requires problem-solving skills, you must be able to examine plans and apply ordinances to determine conformity with regulations and apply regulations to field situations. The ability to work on multiple projects personally and as a team on issues attracts prospective employers. A Bachelor's Degree in Town Planning or a similar field is required for the role. Planning Technicians earn between $37,500 to $95,500 yearly.

What general advice would you give to a planning technician?

Connie Ozawa Ph.D.

MUS and PhD Program Coordinator, Portland State University

Think about what impact you want to have on your community, and then be open about what job titles might help you to achieve it. Planning graduates successfully obtain jobs at public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private planning firms at the local, state, regional, and federal level. Treat your first job as your first - you may stay there the rest of your working life, or you may move on after a year. Don't hold out for the "perfect job." With a positive attitude and a spirit of inquiry and discovery, you'll learn through doing the work what excites you and the type of colleagues and organizations that will provide the most fulfilling environment for you.

ScorePlanning TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.6

Avg. Salary $45,502

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.05%

Asian 10.45%

Black or African American 9.40%

Hispanic or Latino 16.64%

Unknown 6.15%

White 56.30%

Gender

female 45.38%

male 54.62%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a planning technician

Explore planning technician education requirements

Most common planning technician degrees

Bachelor's

63.3 %

Associate

17.9 %

Master's

9.4 %

Start to develop specific planning technician skills

Skills	Percentages
GIS	17.41%
Data Collection	7.49%
Planning Commission	6.19%
Data Entry	6.00%
Development Review	5.89%

Research planning technician duties and responsibilities

Design and manage an innovative human capital and knowledge management information technology systems (e.g., PeopleSoft).
Map out sampling routes using a Trimble GeoExplorer GPS and ArcMap.
Provide clients relevant information regarding real property data - I.e., addresses, GIS data and spatial imagery.
Conduct schedule maintenance of equipment and vehicles including tractors, mowers, ATV's, pickups, and fire equipment.

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