How To Become A Planner: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

Updated April 5, 2024

3 min read

How To Become A Planner: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (1)

A planner assists individuals, organizations, and communities in achieving their goals by creating plans and strategies. Planners analyze data, conduct research, and provide recommendations on topics such as land use, transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. They work with stakeholders to identify needs, prioritize goals, and develop solutions that meet the needs of diverse communities. Planners employ tools and techniques such as GIS mapping, public engagement, and policy analysis to create plans that are effective and sustainable.

How long does it takes to become a planner?

It takes approximately 6 years to become a planner. This includes 4 years to earn a bachelor's degree and 2 additional years for a master's degree, which is the typical education level for planners. After completing education, 1 to 2 years of work experience is usually required.

Year 1-4Complete a bachelor's degree.

Year 5-6Earn a master's degree.

Year 7-8Gain 1 to 2 years of work experience in the field.

  • Salary$63,161
  • Growth Rate4%
  • Jobs Number15,269
  • Complexity LevelAdvanced
  • Most Common SkillCustomer Service
  • Most Common DegreeBachelor's degree
  • Best StateCalifornia

Planner pros and cons

Pros

  • Variety of projects and clients

  • Job security and stability

  • Work with diverse groups of people

  • Constant learning and professional development

  • Competitive salary and benefits

Cons

  • Difficult stakeholders or opposition

  • Bureaucratic red tape and regulations

  • Constantly changing project requirements and scope

  • Limited budgets for projects

  • Potential for conflict with team members or clients

Planner career paths

As a planner, you can consider various career paths. You may become a buyer, purchasing manager, or director of purchasing. Additionally, you may pursue roles like senior buyer, supply chain manager, or supply chain director. If you're interested in logistics, you could become a supply chain manager or logistics director. Planners may also become merchandise planners, planning managers, or planning directors. Other possible career paths include team leader, assistant store manager, merchandising manager, and senior merchandising manager. Finally, you may choose to become a production planner, master scheduler, or production control manager.

Key steps to become a planner

  1. Explore planner education requirements

    If you're interested in becoming a planner, you must consider how much education you need. Based on real planner resumes, 63.9% of planners have a bachelor's degree. Regarding higher education levels, 11.6% of planners have master's degrees. Even though most planners have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

    Most common planner degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.9

    %

    Associate

    14.3

    %

    Master's

    11.6

    %

  2. Start to develop specific planner skills

    Planners need a range of skills to excel in their role. They use their skills in inventory management, forecasting, and production planning to maintain optimal inventory levels and ensure on-time delivery. They also work with clients and stakeholders to provide exceptional service and operational support. Planners must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to analyze demographic data, perform research, and develop strategies for effective planning. They must also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with a variety of individuals, including supply chain managers, production leads, and freight brokers.

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service13.03%
    Exceptional Client7.74%
    Logistics7.50%
    Project Management6.48%
    Excellent Interpersonal4.45%

    Show more

  3. Research planner duties and responsibilities

    Planners manage production and inventory levels, ensuring customer orders and manufacturing capacity are met. They coordinate with QA/QC to ensure all documentation and certification is completed and closed. They also reconcile inventory documents, create purchase order recommendations, and manage architectural drawings. They review zoning applications, conduct research, and develop comprehensive design guidelines. They exhibit excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with clients and other personnel. They communicate with production leads, supervisors, and supply chain planning to develop and execute product shipment plans. They execute and report on integrated purchase planning and inventory management processes. They collect and track data, develop database management systems, and analyze forecasts and MRP data. They provide exceptional client service and operational support, design and develop projects, work closely with freight brokers and suppliers, and assign daily assignments to floor managers.

    • Develop and managing the database for CDBG applicants.
    • Key role in managing and planning projects from sketch to approve plans.
    • Manage creation of replenishment loads (purchase or DRP) that are optimize to minimize logistical costs.
    • Assist with forecasting machines, accessories, and coffee with various departments in order to achieve monthly KPI's.
  4. Prepare your planner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your planner resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Planner Resume templates

    Build a professional

    Planner

    resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.

    Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Planner resume.

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  5. Apply for planner jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How To Become A Planner: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (18)

Are you a Planner?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average planner salary

The average Planner salary in the United States is $63,161 per year or $30 per hour. Planner salaries range between $45,000 and $88,000 per year.

Average

Planner

Salary

$63,161Yearly

$30.37

hourly

More planner salary info

What Am I Worth?

How To Become A Planner: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (19)

How do planners rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Planner reviews

How To Become A Planner: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (20)

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019

Cons

When you demand change

Planner FAQs

Have more questions?

See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.

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Planner jobs by state

  • Planner jobs in Alaska
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  • Planner jobs in Utah
  • Planner jobs in Virginia
  • Planner jobs in Vermont
  • Planner jobs in Washington
  • Planner jobs in Wisconsin
  • Planner jobs in West Virginia
  • Planner jobs in Wyoming

Updated April 5, 2024

How To Become A Planner: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (21)

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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