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Things that raise your pay

• GIS (geographic information systems)

  Mapping and data software. Planners who can run it are hired first.

• Transportation or urban design specialty

  Transit projects have money. Urban design adds a drawing skill most planners lack.

• Environmental assessment

  Big infrastructure needs it. Consulting firms pay for it.

• Development finance

  Understanding what makes a project pencil out moves you to the developer side, where pay is higher.