Transport Planner

Transport planners design and improve the systems that move people and goods efficiently, safely, and sustainably. They study how roads, railways, cycle paths, buses, and even walking routes are used, and plan for future needs. This might mean creating strategies to reduce congestion, designing safer junctions, improving public transport services, or planning for new housing developments. They use data, mapping software, and traffic modelling tools to predict travel patterns, assess environmental impacts, and make recommendations to councils, government departments, or private companies.

It’s a role that combines problem-solving with creativity, balancing the needs of communities, the economy, and the environment. You might spend some days at your desk analysing data, and others visiting sites or attending meetings with engineers, architects, or the public.

Starting salaries for graduate transport planners are typically around £25,000 to £28,000 a year. With a few years’ experience, you could earn between £30,000 and £40,000. Senior transport planners or specialists can earn £45,000 to £60,000, and experienced managers or consultants may earn even more, especially in the private sector.

A solid foundation in subjects that develop analytical and problem-solving skills will help. At school or college, consider:

Mathematics – for handling data and modelling.

Geography – for understanding land use, sustainability, and urban development.

Physics – for the science behind movement and infrastructure.

Design & Technology – for creative problem-solving.

IT/Computer Science – for using mapping and modelling software.

At university, many transport planners study geography, civil engineering, urban planning, environmental science, or transport-related degrees. Some specialise further with a master’s in transport planning.

There are several routes into this career. You could:

Go to university – Take a relevant degree, then apply for graduate roles in councils, consultancies, or transport authorities.

Start an apprenticeship – Transport planning apprenticeships combine paid work with study, usually at Level 3 or Level 6 (degree level).

Join through work experience – Some people enter from related roles, such as traffic engineering or town planning, and train on the job.

Building skills in data analysis, communication, and teamwork is important. Volunteering with local councils, joining urban planning groups, or completing short courses in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) can boost your CV.

Transport planners play a key role in shaping how we travel in the future – making transport safer, greener, and more accessible for everyone. If you enjoy solving problems, thinking ahead, and improving everyday life for communities, this could be the career for you.

To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a transport planner, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.

Details of relevant degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.

National Careers Service, Transport Planner

Prospects, Transport Planner

Transport Planning Society, Careers 

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation, Careers

Want to know what it's like to work as a transport planner? Watch the video in How Did You Get That Job? to find out more.