How much does a event planner make?
Answer: A typical event planner in the United States makes $61,160 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 143,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Event planner pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,830 | $61,160 | $101,700 | about 143,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,970 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $75,740 | about 5,000 |
| New York | $74,730 | about 10,000 |
| Hawaii | $74,460 | about 550 |
| New Jersey | $72,780 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay varies with experience, the employer’s industry, and location. An industry survey found higher reported pay among credentialed planners, while event weeks may bring long hours or weekend shifts.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a event planner do?
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
What's a typical day like?
They meet clients, compare venues, and line up food, travel, and sound services while tracking budgets and deadlines. At the event, they check guests in, coordinate the venue team, and solve problems as they pop up.
How to get this job
Most U.S. event planners need a bachelor’s degree, often in event management, business, communications, or a related field. Volunteer event work or hotel experience helps; the optional Certified Meeting Professional credential requires an application and written exam.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
A Cvent survey found that one event planner may have to juggle five to ten different vendors at a single event.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Business and Financial Operations jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1121.00
- www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/StateAndLocal/Wages.aspx?dataview=table&location=T
- www.pcma.org/salary-survey-2022-pandemic-effect-event-organizers-compensation
- www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-event-planner-survey-result
- eventscouncil.org/CMP/Future-CMPs
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY