Transportation Planning Manager

Career Guide

A Transportation Planning Manager leads teams that study how people and goods move through a region and turns that research into practical plans. They coordinate with public agencies, engineers, operators, and communities to improve travel options, reduce congestion, and support safety and sustainability goals.

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Key Responsibilities

Lead development of long range transportation plans and corridor studies
Manage planning staff, consultants, budgets, and schedules
Oversee travel demand forecasting and scenario analysis
Coordinate with engineering teams on project concepts and feasibility
Guide public outreach and stakeholder engagement
Prepare presentations for leadership, boards, and elected officials
Ensure plans align with funding rules, policy requirements, and adopted goals
Prioritize projects using clear evaluation criteria
Support grant strategy and funding applications
Track performance measures and report progress to internal and external partners

Top Skills for Success

Team Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Public Speaking

Policy Writing

Budget Management

Transportation Planning

Land Use Planning

Travel Demand Modeling

GIS Mapping

Data Analysis

Performance Measurement

Environmental Review Knowledge

Grant Writing

Consultant Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Transportation Planning Manager

Transportation Planning Director

Mobility Program Manager

Transit Planning Manager

Regional Planning Director

Transition Opportunities

Transportation Operations Manager

Capital Planning Manager

Smart Mobility Manager

Transportation Policy Advisor

Sustainability Program Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Travel Demand ModelingPerformance MeasurementGrant WritingFacilitationBudget ManagementConsultant ManagementClimate Resilience Planning

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio that shows a full planning cycle from data gathering to recommendations and implementation steps. Strengthen data and mapping skills through hands on projects, and practice public meeting facilitation. Seek opportunities to co lead grant applications and to manage a consultant workstream to demonstrate readiness for larger programs.

Market Intelligence Report

Transportation Planning Manager is part of the Civil Engineering category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 85,000 to 115,000

Mid LevelUSD 115,000 to 150,000

Senior LevelUSD 150,000 to 190,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring is supported by infrastructure investment, transit modernization, safety programs, and increased focus on multimodal planning and climate resilience.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

City Transportation DepartmentsState Departments of TransportationMetropolitan Planning OrganizationsRegional Transit AgenciesCounty Public Works DepartmentsTransportation Consulting FirmsEngineering Consulting Firms

Industry Sectors

Public Sector TransportationTransit and RailTransportation ConsultingUrban and Regional PlanningInfrastructure and Public WorksLogistics and Freight Planning

Recommended Next Steps

Update your resume to highlight program outcomes such as reduced travel time, improved safety, or increased transit access

Create two to three work samples such as a corridor plan summary, a project prioritization matrix, or a public outreach plan

Strengthen GIS Mapping and data analysis skills using a small local mobility study

Volunteer to lead a stakeholder workshop or public meeting agenda to demonstrate facilitation ability

Partner with finance or grants teams to contribute to at least one funding application

Target roles at metropolitan planning organizations, transit agencies, and consulting firms that support regional plans and capital programs