Event planner earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level event planner earnings begin at:

$36.12 per hour

$75,128 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level event planner earnings begin at:

$27.56 per hour

$57,327 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level event planner earnings begin at:

$20.41 per hour

$42,449 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level event planner earnings begin at:

$15.11 per hour

$31,432 per year

10th percentile

Starting level event planner earnings begin at:

$11.53 per hour

$23,985 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Event planner salary by state

State Name Average Salary
District of Columbia $65,090
New Jersey $61,750
New York $60,510
Virginia $57,980
Connecticut $56,470
Hawaii $56,368
Maryland $55,760
California $53,100
Rhode Island $52,940
Massachusetts $52,480
Minnesota $51,130
Alaska $50,299
Washington $49,690
Texas $49,080
Ohio $48,590
Georgia $48,370
Colorado $48,210
Delaware $47,160
Oregon $46,240
New Hampshire $45,690
Michigan $45,530
North Dakota $45,360
Vermont $45,260
Florida $45,130
Wisconsin $44,610
Nebraska $44,270
Maine $43,730
Nevada $43,320
Wyoming $42,700
North Carolina $42,520
Missouri $42,390
Illinois $42,196
Oklahoma $42,030
Utah $41,680
Kansas $41,500
West Virginia $41,210
Tennessee $41,170
Alabama $40,689
Pennsylvania $39,369
Iowa $39,244
Louisiana $39,100
Arkansas $38,647
Arizona $38,107
Mississippi $37,700
Montana $37,610
Kentucky $37,573
South Carolina $36,860
Indiana $36,590
Idaho $35,845
Guam $35,740
South Dakota $35,450
New Mexico $34,270
Puerto Rico $22,710

How much does an Event Planner earn?

Event planners make sure all the many facets of an event run smoothly, be it a meeting, festival or a wedding. The current trends and forecasts for the meeting and events industry show a positive outlook for not only the industry as a whole, but for those individuals who call themselves event planners. While bachelor's degrees are typical for this position, experience is equally valued. A well-organized event planner can quickly move up the ranks into a lucrative salary.

Event size and scope adds to an event planner's salary, as does the industry. For example, event planners for convention centres typically make more than catering event planners, but starting out working small events is a way to break into the field. Location is also a factor for salary scale. The highest event planner salaries are in the metropolitan areas of Bridgeport, Connecticut; New York City; and the District of Columbia.

How do event planner salaries compare to similar careers?

Event planners earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than substance abuse social workers but more than locksmiths.

Career Median Salary
Substance abuse social worker salary $47K
Executive assistant salary $48K
Wedding planner salary $46K
Insurance sales agent salary $43K
Hazardous materials removal worker salary $44K
Event planner salary $42K
Meter reader salary $42K
Precious metal worker salary $41K
Postal service clerk salary $44K
Locksmith salary $42K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)