Event Planner Salary in the US
If you’re interested in starting a career as an Event Planner, you should know that the average Event Planner salary is $62,280 per year. Check out our Event Planner salary trends, factors that can impact your salary and benefits you can get in your career.
While you’re at it, you can also use our comparison tool to check how Event Planner salary averages varies across major cities in the United States (U.S.) and how it compares to other positions in the hospitality industry.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Event Planner salary.Average Event Planner Base Salary:
What can I earn as Event Planner? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.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]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
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:
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $51,070 |
| Alaska | $48,460 |
| Arizona | $54,010 |
| Arkansas | $51,640 |
| California | $69,280 |
| Colorado | $63,570 |
| Connecticut | $71,650 |
| Delaware | $57,820 |
| Florida | $63,800 |
| Georgia | $52,210 |
| Hawaii | $70,880 |
| Idaho | $49,500 |
| Illinois | $63,480 |
| Indiana | $54,230 |
| Iowa | $53,130 |
| Kansas | $54,300 |
| Kentucky | $49,190 |
| Louisiana | $56,210 |
| Maine | $54,470 |
| Maryland | $61,840 |
| Massachusetts | $77,720 |
| Michigan | $52,530 |
| Minnesota | $57,530 |
| Mississippi | $41,040 |
| Missouri | $53,540 |
| Montana | $51,130 |
| Nebraska | $56,350 |
| Nevada | $59,570 |
| New Hampshire | $57,990 |
| New Jersey | $73,440 |
| New Mexico | $48,100 |
| New York | $83,160 |
| North Carolina | $57,810 |
| North Dakota | $52,420 |
| Ohio | $55,610 |
| Oklahoma | $45,830 |
| Oregon | $60,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,210 |
| Rhode Island | $54,500 |
| South Carolina | $49,980 |
| South Dakota | $46,970 |
| Tennessee | $50,460 |
| Texas | $52,090 |
| Utah | $53,500 |
| Vermont | $62,210 |
| Virginia | $64,180 |
| Washington | $67,230 |
| West Virginia | $39,840 |
| Wisconsin | $53,960 |
| Wyoming | $54,950 |
| District of Columbia | $76,100 |
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:
| Certification | Organization | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Meeting Professional | Events Industry Council | Aims to validate Event Planners’ expertise in event planning, execution and management |
| Certified Special Events Professional | International Live Events Association | Acknowledges event professionals who have shown they possess the necessary knowledge, skills and ability to handle all aspects of an event |
| Certified Professional in Catering & Events | National Association for Catering & Events | Focuses on event production, sales and operations |
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.
Miami
Annual mean wage
$69,240
# of employees
2,100
New York City
Annual mean wage
$87,310
# of employees
9,400
Chicago
Annual mean wage
$65,060
# of employees
4,240
Los Angeles
Annual mean wage
$67,360
# of employees
5,880
[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.
Paycheck Calculator
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $60,000.00 per year in the state of Florida, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $49,969.50 after tax deductions of 16.72% (or $10,030.50). Deductions include a total of [1] 9.07% (or $5,440.50) for the federal income tax, [2] 0.00% (or $0.00) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $3,720.00) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $870.00) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
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]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
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.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Host/Hostess | $30,750 |
| Event Coordinator | $54,362 |
| Event Manager | $78,729 |
Event Planner Salary FAQs
This can vary depending on the establishment you work for and whether you have a specific arrangement with your employer.
If you’re working full-time for an employer, you can try negotiating a performance bonus as part of your benefits package. However, you’ll first have to demonstrate your skills by planning successful events.
If you’re working as a freelance Event Planner, you’re more likely to receive additional cash compensation, as your pay will be tied to your performance and the success of the event.
You may receive monetary rewards when you meet or exceed specific goals established for the event.
According to BLS, if you earn an average base salary of $99,010 per year, you earn more than 90% of all Event Planners in the U.S.
However, that’s just an average, and you can earn even more depending on the industry you work in and whether you receive performance bonuses.
While the average Event Planner salary stands at $62,280 per year, you can make six figures as you gain experience and build a reputation in the industry.
The best way would be to study our Event Planner interview questions and come up with potential answers. To help you out, we’ve already included some example answers, but you can obviously tailor them to meet your specific abilities and previous working history.
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.