How Much Does an Event Planner Make?
The average salary for an Event Planner in the United States is $62,280 per year. This figure was extracted from the Bureau of Labour Statistics’ latest guide on Event Planner wages.
Event Planner Salary by Year
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]
How Much Does an Event Planner Make Monthly?
The average base salary for an Event Planner in the United States is $5,189.
How Much Does an Event Planner Make Hourly?
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.
How Much Does an Event Planner Make Weekly?
The weekly salary for an Event Planner in the United States is $1,197.
Event Planner Salaries 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 how much Event Planners make across the United States:
| 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.
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 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.
Annual mean wage
$69,240
# of employees
2,100
Annual mean wage
$87,310
# of employees
9,400
Annual mean wage
$65,060
# of employees
4,240
Annual mean wage
$67,360
# of employees
5,880
[Calculated using Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Talent.com and Salary.com data]
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 and vacation leave.
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 | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Host/Hostess | |
| Event Coordinator | |
| Event Manager |
Labor Laws and Taxes for Event Planners
Depending on where you live and work, you need to pay different amounts of taxes and you’re protected by different labor laws. You can use our labor laws guide to select your state and see what you need to be wary of.
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.
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.
Freelance Event Planners generally receive bonuses because their compensation is often tied to their performance and the success of the events they manage. They receive monetary rewards when they meet or exceed specific goals established for the event.
According to the 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.
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.
