Event Planner Salary in 2026
Event planners coordinate all aspects of professional meetings, conferences, and special events. They manage budgets, select venues, arrange catering, and ensure smooth execution.
Median Salary
$61,160
$5,097/mo
Entry Level
$39,600
starting pay
Senior Level
$84,900
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners (SOC 13-1121) at a national median of $61,160 per year (mean $66,520), or $29.41 per hour, with 142,860 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Event Planner Overview
Event planners coordinate all aspects of professional meetings, conferences, and special events. They manage budgets, select venues, arrange catering, and ensure smooth execution.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Hospitality
Total Jobs (US)
143K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Hospitality
Hourly Rate
$29.41/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,097
Event Planner Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Event Planner salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Event Planner Salary
$69,000
$5,750/month · $2,654/biweekly · $33.17/hr
Event Planner Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Event Planner field.
Entry-level Event Planners earn around $39,600, while the top 10% earn $101,350 or more.
Top Paying States for Event Planners
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $72,000 | +$10,840 |
| New York | $70,000 | +$8,840 |
| Illinois | $64,000 | +$2,840 |
| Florida | $60,000 | $-1,160 |
| Texas | $60,000 | $-1,160 |
Top Paying Cities for Event Planners
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $72,000 | +$10,840 |
| Los Angeles | $68,000 | +$6,840 |
| Chicago | $64,000 | +$2,840 |
| Miami | $62,000 | +$840 |
| Dallas | $61,000 | $-160 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Event Planner Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Event Planner.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Event Planner Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Event Planner from entry level to expert.
$39,600
0-2 years
$62,000
3-7 years
$84,900
8-14 years
$117,800
15+ years
Related Hospitality Jobs
Event Planner Salary FAQ
How much does a Event Planner make in 2026?
The median salary for a Event Planner in the United States is $61,160 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners (SOC 13-1121); the mean is $66,520. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $39,600, senior professionals around $84,900, and top earners at $117,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Event Planner?
A Event Planner typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Event Coordination, Budget Management, Vendor Relations. Relevant certifications such as CMP Certification or CSEP can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Event Planners?
The job market for Event Planners is projected to grow by 8% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 143K Event Planner positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Event Planners the most?
The highest-paying states for Event Planners include New York, California, Florida. In New York, the median salary is approximately $70,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Event Planner salary?
To increase your Event Planner salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Event Coordination and Budget Management. Pursue certifications such as CMP Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $39,600 to $84,900 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Event Planner Salary
How we calculate Event Planner salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners (SOC 13-1121), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $61,160, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners; BLS mean $66,520; BLS hourly median $29.41.
- Entry-level ($39,600) and senior-level ($84,900) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +8% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 142,860 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Hospitality sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $61,160; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Event Planner compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Event Planner job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Hospitality
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Event Planner salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Event Coordination, Budget Management, Vendor Relations), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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