Want to learn about Event Manager salaries? We got you covered.
Explore top-paying cities, states and non-monetary perks below.
How Much Does an Event Manager Earn in the United States?
The average base salary for an Event Manager in the United States is $38 per hour or $78,729 per year, according to our salary estimate methodology.
How Much Does an Event Manager Earn Monthly?
The average monthly salary for an Event Manager is $6,080.
How Much Does an Event Manager Earn per Week?
Event Managers working in the United States earn an average weekly salary of $1,520.
Factors Affecting an Event Manager’s Salary
There are several factors that can influence the earnings of an Event Manager.
Some of the main ones include:
Industry
Event Manager role, just like the role of an Event Planner and the role of an Event Coordinator, work across a number of industries.
In 2023, the top industries with the highest median wages for Event Managers were:
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
- Administrative and support services
- Accommodation and food services
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Type of Events
Event Manager works across different industries, but they also organize and manage different types of events.
The type of event and its scale can also greatly influence how much an Event Manager earns.
You can explore some of the common types of events organized by Event Managers, categorized into:
- Corporate events: Conferences, trade shows and seminars
- Company meetings and off-sites: Team buildings, company parties and product launches
- Non-corporate events: Weddings, birthday parties and festivals
Experience
The amount of experience an Event Manager has and the strength of their portfolio can greatly influence how much they earn.
College education and certifications
While there are no specific education requirements for Event Managers, individuals who hold a college degree can command higher salaries than those without formal education.
Some of the formal, four-year degrees Event Managers can benefit from include:
- Business
- Marketing
- Communication
- Hospitality management
Aside from formal education, Event Managers can also explore certifications and shorter education which could demonstrate their expertise in planning and organizing an event.
Some of the courses to consider include those from:
- Events Industry Council (EIC)
- National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)
- International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
Location
Event Managers, like most positions, earn different salaries in different states and cities.
Cities and states with booming event industries have a higher need for Event Managers, resulting in higher salaries for Event Managers and similar occupations.
Keep reading to learn more about Event Manager salaries in top-paying cities and states.
Top-Paying States for Event Managers
You can explore the below map of the United States to see how Event Managers are paid across different states.
[Calculated using Indeed, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter and Talent.com data]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
States that offer the highest Event Manager salaries are California ($69,517), New York ($67,042) and Washington ($66,009).
Event Managers working in Alabama ($44,335), South Dakota ($45,705) and Arkansas ($46,453) earn lower salaries than their counterparts working in different states.
High-Paying Cities for Event Managers
Aside from earning different salaries from state to state, Event Manager salaries also vary from city to city.
See how much Event Managers earn in major U.S. cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and New York City.
Annual mean wage
$78,293
Annual mean wage
$75,167
Annual mean wage
$64,049
Annual mean wage
$69,215
[Calculated using Indeed, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter and Talent.com data]
How Much Do Similar Careers to an Event Manager Get Paid?
Event Managers earn more than Event Planners and Event Coordinators but less than Hotel Managers.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Event Coordinator | |
| Event Planner | |
| Hotel Manager |
Event Manager Salary FAQ
The top-earning Event Managers can have a salary that exceeds $100,000.
However, to command such a high salary as an Event Manager, it is necessary to have relevant experience (one to three years) with a strong portfolio of event planning and managing.
Additionally, formal education and additional courses and certifications can help aspiring Event Managers command higher salaries.
No, Event Managers typically don’t receive tips.
Unlike other service-industry workers like Waiters or Bartenders, Event Managers earn their income in the form of a salary or a predetermined fee.
The short answer: yes and no.
While formal education and additional courses can play a role in how much an Event Manager can earn, they are not the deciding factor.
The salary for this role typically depends on the experience and a portfolio of work an individual can present.
It depends.
Event Managers will typically work for a salary (usually from employers) or a predefined fee (often from clients).
However, Event Managers can also work on a freelance basis.
In such scenarios, an Event Manager’s earnings can be tied to their performance and the success of the event, potentially leading to bonuses or commissions thanks to satisfied clients
Similarly, Event Managers who are working for a hotel can negotiate a commission and bonus based on the success of the event or as a percentage of booked rooms for the event.
