Event planner earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level event planner earnings begin at:

$48.17 per hour

$100,190 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level event planner earnings begin at:

$38.78 per hour

$80,660 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level event planner earnings begin at:

$31.50 per hour

$65,530 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level event planner earnings begin at:

$25.31 per hour

$52,650 per year

10th percentile

Starting level event planner earnings begin at:

$21.67 per hour

$45,070 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Event planner salary by state

State Name Average Salary
District of Columbia $76,970
Massachusetts $75,740
New York $74,730
Hawaii $74,460
Vermont $74,310
New Jersey $72,780
California $71,120
Connecticut $70,010
Washington $65,530
Maryland $63,280
New Hampshire $63,250
Colorado $62,050
Arizona $61,330
Louisiana $61,150
Oregon $61,120
Virginia $60,930
Florida $60,270
Rhode Island $59,910
Illinois $59,840
Pennsylvania $58,170
Maine $57,900
Minnesota $57,710
Nevada $57,610
Texas $57,470
Missouri $56,900
Wyoming $55,550
Alaska $54,990
North Carolina $54,990
Kansas $54,840
Utah $54,150
Wisconsin $53,940
Arkansas $53,040
Michigan $52,780
Nebraska $52,630
Alabama $52,180
Tennessee $52,000
South Carolina $51,830
Iowa $51,750
North Dakota $51,700
New Mexico $50,820
Indiana $50,090
Ohio $49,900
Kentucky $49,280
Georgia $49,250
Delaware $49,020
Montana $49,000
Oklahoma $48,990
South Dakota $47,050
Mississippi $44,680
Idaho $35,845
West Virginia $35,760
Guam $35,740
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 Washington. On average, they make less than meter readers but more than highway maintenance workers.

Career Median Salary
Meter reader salary $66K
Landscaper salary $72K
Substance abuse social worker salary $70K
Garbage collector salary $75K
Private detective salary $64K
Wedding planner salary $66K
Event planner salary $66K
Sign language interpreter salary $62K
Hazardous materials removal worker salary $60K
Highway maintenance worker salary $65K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)