Event Planner Salary in the US

Annual Event Planner Salary

The average salary for an Event Planner in the U.S. is $62,280 per year. This figure was extracted from the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS)' latest guide on Event Planner wages.

Event Planners in 2019 earned an average annual salary of $54,880. Compared to the 2023 average annual salary of $62,280, that's an increase of nearly 14%.

[Source: BLS]

Monthly Event Planner Salary

The average base salary for an Event Planner in the United States is $5,189.

Weekly Event Planner Salary

The weekly salary for an Event Planner in the U.S. is $1,197.

Hourly Event Planner Salary

The average hourly wage for an Event Planner is $29.94. Some Event Planners can earn as little as $16.54 (10th percentile) per hour, while others may earn as much as $47.60 (90th percentile) per hour.

For more Event Planner trends, check out our 2024 statistics on Event Planners.

Event Planner Salary Averages Across the US

The annual salary of Event Planners can fluctuate significantly across the U.S. One factor is the cost of living in different areas.

For instance, Event Planners in New York and the District of Columbia, two locations with a high cost of living, earn significantly higher salaries than Event Planners in West Virginia and Arkansas, both of which have a lower cost of living.

Explore the table below to see what the average salary for Event Planners across the U.S. is:

Factors That Affect Average Event Planner Salary

Besides the cost of living in different areas, an Event Planner's salary is also dictated by the industry they work in, their level of experience and the types of events they're organizing. Let’s take a closer look at these factors that affect Event Planner salaries.

Type of industry

According to recent BLS data, "Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing," "Software Publishers" and "Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing" are among the highest-paying industries for Event Planners.

Meanwhile, Event Planners working in "Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions" and as "Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events" earn the lowest.

Level of experience

Clients prefer to hire individuals who have a proven track record of putting on successful events. Therefore, experienced Event Planners usually receive a higher salary than novice Event Planners who are just starting.

To boost your chances of earning a higher salary, here are some certifications you should consider getting:

Event types

Recent trends show that corporate event planning jobs pay the best. Event Planners who plan corporate meetings and seminars, bonding retreats, conferences and charity and nonprofit events typically earn the most.

These types of events are often hosted by tech companies, financial institutions and other large corporations.

Event Planner Salary in Major US Cities

Among these four large U.S. cities, New York City is the top-paying city for Event Planners, followed by Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago.

[Calculated using Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Talent.com and Salary.com data]

Know the Take-Home Pay for Event Planners

If you're interested in calculating your take-home pay after taxes, our unique Paycheck Calculator allows you to view your salary after federal, state and local taxes.

Simply input your salary, your state and how often you receive the respective amount, and it will automatically calculate your take-home pay.

Benefits and Perks for Event Planners

Benefits and perks are additional rewards provided to employees on top of their annual salaries. As an Event Planner, these benefits will help you achieve a better work-life balance and maximize your job satisfaction. Here are some benefits and perks most Event Planner jobs offer:

401(k)

401(k) is one of the most common investment options U.S. employers use to help employees save for retirement.

As an Event Planner who spends a lot of time at work, it's crucial to use this benefit to capitalize on compound interest and enjoy flexibility later on in life.

Paid time off

Paid time off (PTO) covers different kinds of time away from work. This usually includes sick leave, parental leave, vacation leave and paid holiday.

According to a Vacation Tracker report, the number of PTO benefits can depend on the state and city you work in.

Employers located in the northeastern part of the country, such as Maine and New Hampshire, typically offer more PTO days compared to those in southern states like Florida and Maryland.

[Source: Vacation Tracker]

How Much Do Event Planners Earn Compared to Other Similar Roles?

Event Planners earn more than Hosts/Hostesses and Event Coordinators but less than those working as Event Managers.

Event Planner Salary Data

We use data directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to ensure you get the most recent and relevant information. You can see how we calculate salaries and other data for all positions on our salary methodology page.