Event planner salary
BLS occupation: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners · also called meeting and convention planner · Business and finance · data for May 2025
Median salary $61,160 a year, US
Median hourly pay $29.41 an hour
Middle half earn $46,970–$78,790 25th to 75th percentile
Event planners employed 142,860 +5.8% projected by 2035
How much does an event planner make?
- The median event planner salary in the US is $61,160 a year ($29.41 an hour): half of the 142,860 event planners BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $66,520.
- The middle half earn between $46,970 and $78,790. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $36,830 and the top 10% more than $101,700.
- That is 20% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays event planners the most (median $76,970), followed by Massachusetts ($75,740) and New York ($74,730). West Virginia pays the least ($35,760).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Vermont, where the median is worth $75,859 in typical US prices, then Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia's higher pay is offset by its prices (109.9 vs a US average of 100).
- In 56 of the 288 metro areas with data, the median event planner salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of event planners to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 16,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what event planners are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Event planner salary range
Half of event planners earn between $46,970 and $78,790 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $36,830
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $46,970
Median Yearly pay: $61,160
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $78,790
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $101,700
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $36,830 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $46,970 |
| Median | $61,160 |
| Top 25% earn over | $78,790 |
| Top 10% earn over | $101,700 |
Event planner salary by state
The District of Columbia pays event planners the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($61,160), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,970 median |
| Massachusetts | $75,740 median |
| New York | $74,730 median |
| Hawaii | $74,460 median |
| Vermont | $74,310 median |
| New Jersey | $72,780 median |
| California | $71,120 median |
| Connecticut | $70,010 median |
| Washington | $65,530 median |
| Maryland | $63,280 median |
| New Hampshire | $63,250 median |
| Colorado | $62,050 median |
| Arizona | $61,330 median |
| Louisiana | $61,150 median |
| Oregon | $61,120 median |
| Virginia | $60,930 median |
| Florida | $60,270 median |
| Rhode Island | $59,910 median |
| Illinois | $59,840 median |
| Pennsylvania | $58,170 median |
| Maine | $57,900 median |
| Minnesota | $57,710 median |
| Nevada | $57,610 median |
| Texas | $57,470 median |
| Missouri | $56,900 median |
| Wyoming | $55,550 median |
| Alaska | $54,990 median |
| North Carolina | $54,990 median |
| Kansas | $54,840 median |
| Utah | $54,150 median |
| Wisconsin | $53,940 median |
| Arkansas | $53,040 median |
| Michigan | $52,780 median |
| Nebraska | $52,630 median |
| Alabama | $52,180 median |
| Tennessee | $52,000 median |
| South Carolina | $51,830 median |
| Iowa | $51,750 median |
| North Dakota | $51,700 median |
| New Mexico | $50,820 median |
| Indiana | $50,090 median |
| Ohio | $49,900 median |
| Kentucky | $49,280 median |
| Georgia | $49,250 median |
| Delaware | $49,020 median |
| Montana | $49,000 median |
| Oklahoma | $48,990 median |
| South Dakota | $47,050 median |
| Mississippi | $44,680 median |
| West Virginia | $35,760 median |
Where event planner pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Event planners' pay goes furthest in Vermont once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $75,859 |
| Massachusetts | $71,617 |
| District of Columbia | $70,036 |
| Louisiana | $69,326 |
| New York | $69,245 |
| Hawaii | $67,721 |
| Connecticut | $67,571 |
| New Jersey | $66,890 |
| California | $64,234 |
| Missouri | $62,653 |
Event planner pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,970 | $37.00 | $53,320 | $121,410 | 2,360 | $70,036 |
| Massachusetts | $75,740 | $36.41 | $48,960 | $133,980 | 4,640 | $71,617 |
| New York | $74,730 | $35.93 | $45,600 | $129,980 | 10,330 | $69,245 |
| Hawaii | $74,460 | $35.80 | $39,760 | $98,560 | 550 | $67,721 |
| Vermont | $74,310 | $35.73 | $50,270 | $89,690 | 430 | $75,859 |
| New Jersey | $72,780 | $34.99 | $46,790 | $121,090 | 2,160 | $66,890 |
| California | $71,120 | $34.19 | $44,850 | $121,310 | 20,650 | $64,234 |
| Connecticut | $70,010 | $33.66 | $44,710 | $124,370 | 1,450 | $67,571 |
| Washington | $65,530 | $31.50 | $45,070 | $100,190 | 3,600 | $61,236 |
| Maryland | $63,280 | $30.42 | $38,990 | $107,770 | 2,570 | $60,290 |
| New Hampshire | $63,250 | $30.41 | $47,650 | $97,780 | 510 | $60,721 |
| Colorado | $62,050 | $29.83 | $40,140 | $102,710 | 4,650 | $60,212 |
| Arizona | $61,330 | $29.49 | $38,820 | $92,730 | 3,440 | $60,918 |
| Louisiana | $61,150 | $29.40 | $35,460 | $99,910 | 610 | $69,326 |
| Oregon | $61,120 | $29.38 | $42,770 | $84,680 | 2,020 | $59,133 |
| Virginia | $60,930 | $29.29 | $40,140 | $102,280 | 4,230 | $60,265 |
| Florida | $60,270 | $28.98 | $32,930 | $100,470 | 10,480 | $58,280 |
| Rhode Island | $59,910 | $28.80 | $36,400 | $96,140 | 890 | $58,575 |
| Illinois | $59,840 | $28.77 | $35,810 | $104,720 | 5,220 | $59,865 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,170 | $27.97 | $37,730 | $90,380 | 3,940 | $59,618 |
| Maine | $57,900 | $27.84 | $45,760 | $80,410 | 490 | $59,660 |
| Minnesota | $57,710 | $27.75 | $37,680 | $93,730 | 3,160 | $58,517 |
| Nevada | $57,610 | $27.70 | $31,200 | $87,430 | 2,060 | $57,622 |
| Texas | $57,470 | $27.63 | $34,990 | $95,450 | 10,730 | $59,213 |
| Missouri | $56,900 | $27.36 | $31,190 | $83,500 | 2,500 | $62,653 |
| Wyoming | $55,550 | $26.71 | $42,410 | $84,860 | 120 | $59,930 |
| Alaska | $54,990 | $26.44 | $43,580 | $82,720 | 150 | $53,723 |
| North Carolina | $54,990 | $26.44 | $32,670 | $99,420 | 4,340 | $58,298 |
| Kansas | $54,840 | $26.37 | $25,870 | $86,090 | 920 | $60,887 |
| Utah | $54,150 | $26.03 | $32,030 | $90,220 | 1,970 | $54,772 |
| Wisconsin | $53,940 | $25.93 | $35,660 | $88,530 | 2,690 | $57,325 |
| Arkansas | $53,040 | $25.50 | $31,190 | $102,170 | 550 | $61,010 |
| Michigan | $52,780 | $25.38 | $36,580 | $80,640 | 3,560 | $54,855 |
| Nebraska | $52,630 | $25.30 | $43,520 | $76,660 | 610 | $58,411 |
| Alabama | $52,180 | $25.09 | $36,150 | $82,940 | 980 | $58,746 |
| Tennessee | $52,000 | $25.00 | $36,300 | $78,100 | 3,260 | $56,602 |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | $24.92 | $30,770 | $80,790 | 1,240 | $55,286 |
| Iowa | $51,750 | $24.88 | $36,100 | $78,710 | 1,120 | $58,966 |
| North Dakota | $51,700 | $24.86 | $36,300 | $76,760 | 300 | $58,117 |
| New Mexico | $50,820 | $24.43 | $35,550 | $74,970 | 350 | $55,112 |
| Indiana | $50,090 | $24.08 | $34,860 | $82,920 | 2,140 | $53,670 |
| Ohio | $49,900 | $23.99 | $29,910 | $81,640 | 4,750 | $53,787 |
| Kentucky | $49,280 | $23.69 | $31,310 | $80,110 | 1,110 | $54,659 |
| Georgia | $49,250 | $23.68 | $30,100 | $84,530 | 5,050 | $51,146 |
| Delaware | $49,020 | $23.57 | $34,330 | $79,870 | 400 | $49,114 |
| Montana | $49,000 | $23.56 | $35,210 | $75,150 | 350 | $51,772 |
| Oklahoma | $48,990 | $23.55 | $29,620 | $76,240 | 1,440 | $55,770 |
| South Dakota | $47,050 | $22.62 | $36,310 | $66,060 | 340 | $53,112 |
| Mississippi | $44,680 | $21.48 | $27,370 | $73,150 | 360 | $51,384 |
| West Virginia | $35,760 | $17.19 | $28,110 | $63,710 | 300 | $39,957 |
BLS does not publish pay for event planners in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Event planner salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes event planner pay: 291 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $90,560
- Kahului, HI $84,640
- San Francisco, CA $82,120
- New York, NY $78,610
- Boston, MA $78,010
- Trenton, NJ $77,010
- Washington, DC $75,450
- Bridgeport, CT $73,890
- Burlington, VT $71,720
- Santa Maria, CA $71,100
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $82,012
- Kahului, HI $77,372
- Shreveport, LA $74,900
- Trenton, NJ $74,637
- Greenville, NC $72,069
- Boston, MA $72,054
- Burlington, VT $71,046
- San Francisco, CA $71,030
- New York, NY $69,836
- Sheboygan, WI $69,447
All 291 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $90,560 | 1,190 | $82,012 | 51% |
| Kahului, HI | $84,640 | 130 | $77,372 | 45% |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,120 | 3,490 | $71,030 | 50% |
| New York, NY | $78,610 | 9,050 | $69,836 | 54% |
| Boston, MA | $78,010 | 3,650 | $72,054 | 46% |
| Trenton, NJ | $77,010 | 170 | $74,637 | 39% |
| Washington, DC | $75,450 | 5,140 | $69,294 | 38% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $73,890 | 510 | $69,144 | 47% |
| Burlington, VT | $71,720 | 170 | $71,046 | 43% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $71,100 | 330 | $65,350 | 55% |
| Sacramento, CA | $70,710 | 910 | $66,289 | 39% |
| Seattle, WA | $69,890 | 2,450 | $62,889 | 39% |
| Napa, CA | $68,940 | 190 | $61,251 | 51% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $68,850 | 7,300 | $60,626 | 51% |
| Hartford, CT | $68,710 | 460 | $66,874 | 35% |
| New Haven, CT | $68,070 | 200 | $65,102 | 36% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $67,550 | 110 | $61,467 | 62% |
| Merced, CA | $67,350 | 30 | $68,532 | 37% |
| Boulder, CO | $67,200 | 360 | $63,877 | 39% |
| San Diego, CA | $66,060 | 2,430 | $59,042 | 54% |
| Salinas, CA | $65,460 | 200 | $60,032 | 51% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $65,290 | 30 | $69,447 | 25% |
| Naples, FL | $64,940 | 230 | $62,926 | 48% |
| Worcester, MA | $64,910 | 300 | $63,313 | 39% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $64,880 | 30 | $68,391 | 27% |
| Bellingham, WA | $64,630 | 90 | $62,545 | 36% |
| Portland, OR | $64,480 | 1,420 | $61,164 | 34% |
| Modesto, CA | $64,470 | 100 | $61,926 | 38% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $64,420 | 170 | $58,873 | 42% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $64,290 | 120 | $64,134 | – |
| Honolulu, HI | $64,210 | 320 | $57,867 | 56% |
| Ithaca, NY | $64,150 | 70 | $62,090 | 37% |
| Riverside, CA | $63,850 | 1,090 | $59,986 | 48% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $63,760 | 140 | $58,713 | 53% |
| Greenville, NC | $63,710 | 110 | $72,069 | 28% |
| Oxnard, CA | $63,710 | 270 | $57,638 | 56% |
| Shreveport, LA | $63,490 | 40 | $74,900 | 24% |
| Corvallis, OR | $63,170 | 50 | $60,730 | 34% |
| New Orleans, LA | $63,030 | 330 | $68,069 | 30% |
| Baltimore, MD | $62,960 | 1,060 | $60,256 | 37% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $62,870 | 200 | $63,597 | 39% |
| Dallas, TX | $62,720 | 3,380 | $60,840 | 32% |
| Chicago, IL | $62,640 | 4,230 | $60,466 | 41% |
| Greeley, CO | $62,620 | 90 | $62,510 | 32% |
| Rochester, NY | $62,580 | 370 | $64,492 | 29% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $62,530 | 2,010 | $60,973 | 37% |
| Barnstable, MA | $62,470 | 100 | $63,517 | 50% |
| Denver, CO | $62,320 | 2,680 | $58,914 | 37% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,280 | 210 | $62,816 | 39% |
| Orlando, FL | $62,260 | 2,030 | $61,389 | 37% |
| Springfield, MA | $62,180 | 160 | $64,730 | 38% |
| Albany, NY | $62,140 | 540 | $62,411 | 33% |
| Bend, OR | $62,120 | 110 | $59,957 | 43% |
| Binghamton, NY | $62,030 | 50 | $66,797 | 31% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $62,030 | 60 | $62,804 | 38% |
| Houston, TX | $61,770 | 2,160 | $62,629 | 32% |
| Buffalo, NY | $61,590 | 420 | $64,261 | 28% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,380 | 2,660 | $59,410 | 34% |
| Manchester, NH | $61,360 | 110 | $58,075 | 42% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $61,270 | 50 | $59,809 | 43% |
| Miami, FL | $61,260 | 3,240 | $53,664 | 52% |
| State College, PA | $61,250 | 80 | $63,300 | 38% |
| Fresno, CA | $61,190 | 320 | $59,897 | 40% |
| Columbus, OH | $61,050 | 840 | $63,947 | 30% |
| Reno, NV | $60,670 | 180 | $60,061 | 41% |
| Des Moines, IA | $60,410 | 370 | $65,877 | 25% |
| Bremerton, WA | $60,350 | 70 | $57,146 | 41% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $60,260 | 390 | $55,908 | 53% |
| Lansing, MI | $60,130 | 340 | $63,301 | 26% |
| Vallejo, CA | $60,100 | 80 | $55,402 | 49% |
| Olympia, WA | $60,050 | 110 | $57,924 | 41% |
| Austin, TX | $59,990 | 1,610 | $61,173 | 32% |
| Kingston, NY | $59,990 | 80 | $59,568 | 40% |
| Utica, NY | $59,990 | 70 | $64,729 | 28% |
| Providence, RI | $59,910 | 1,030 | $58,866 | 43% |
| North Port, FL | $59,850 | 350 | $58,438 | 42% |
| Yakima, WA | $59,800 | 40 | $62,588 | 27% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $59,590 | 2,330 | $56,849 | 35% |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,420 | 1,220 | $61,039 | 35% |
| Norwich, CT | $59,340 | 80 | $59,077 | 42% |
| Spokane, WA | $59,270 | 240 | $59,066 | 31% |
| Medford, OR | $59,260 | 60 | $58,423 | 37% |
| Chico, CA | $59,190 | 60 | $58,490 | 31% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $59,180 | 70 | $62,225 | 36% |
| Portland, ME | $58,950 | 310 | $57,875 | 47% |
| Eugene, OR | $58,860 | 180 | $57,951 | 36% |
| Pueblo, CO | $58,850 | 50 | $64,133 | 27% |
| Huntsville, AL | $58,840 | 110 | $63,220 | 28% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $58,730 | 260 | $59,534 | 30% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $58,730 | 740 | $59,035 | 34% |
| Rochester, MN | $58,730 | 90 | $64,666 | 32% |
| Waterbury, CT | $58,720 | 110 | $58,851 | – |
| Fort Collins, CO | $58,660 | 310 | $58,006 | 40% |
| Visalia, CA | $58,520 | 50 | $58,623 | 36% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $58,370 | 430 | $57,960 | 36% |
| Tampa, FL | $58,290 | 1,320 | $57,776 | 41% |
| Allentown, PA | $58,220 | 160 | $58,239 | 38% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $58,220 | 130 | $57,709 | 38% |
| Auburn, AL | $58,070 | 40 | $66,039 | 33% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $57,930 | 190 | $62,938 | 32% |
| Little Rock, AR | $57,910 | 170 | $64,802 | 26% |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,810 | 1,260 | $60,796 | 30% |
| Kansas City, MO | $57,620 | 900 | $62,263 | 32% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $57,600 | 50 | $55,462 | 37% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $57,560 | 160 | $61,287 | 31% |
| Provo, UT | $57,520 | 340 | $58,555 | 37% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $57,420 | 200 | $62,855 | 33% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $57,390 | 1,770 | $57,267 | 36% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $57,240 | 70 | $65,319 | 26% |
| Augusta, GA | $57,190 | 110 | $62,229 | 31% |
| Sebastian, FL | $57,190 | 40 | $58,174 | 45% |
| Mankato, MN | $57,130 | 40 | $62,811 | 26% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $56,920 | 40 | $56,623 | 39% |
| Burlington, NC | $56,820 | 50 | $60,968 | 28% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $56,770 | 30 | $60,331 | 33% |
| Syracuse, NY | $56,700 | 210 | $59,222 | 34% |
| Madison, WI | $56,520 | 540 | $58,096 | 38% |
| Midland, TX | $56,440 | 50 | $58,925 | 33% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $56,090 | 910 | $57,862 | 33% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,050 | 110 | $55,922 | 49% |
| Dayton, OH | $55,970 | 320 | $60,381 | 28% |
| Anchorage, AK | $55,920 | 80 | $53,045 | 41% |
| Logan, UT | $55,730 | 50 | $58,096 | 31% |
| Deltona, FL | $55,550 | 190 | $55,904 | 38% |
| Lancaster, PA | $55,550 | 160 | $56,535 | 34% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $55,510 | 220 | $54,236 | 39% |
| Bismarck, ND | $55,500 | 40 | $60,973 | 28% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $55,150 | 90 | $60,751 | 30% |
| Panama City, FL | $55,080 | 60 | $56,611 | 38% |
| Duluth, MN | $55,010 | 100 | $61,971 | 29% |
| Durham, NC | $54,930 | 340 | $56,297 | 36% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $54,900 | 1,000 | $57,369 | 33% |
| Raleigh, NC | $54,760 | 890 | $55,788 | 37% |
| Detroit, MI | $54,630 | 1,380 | $54,468 | 33% |
| Brunswick, GA | $54,530 | 40 | $62,172 | 37% |
| Memphis, TN | $54,500 | 460 | $59,124 | 31% |
| Montgomery, AL | $54,250 | 130 | $60,492 | 31% |
| Dubuque, IA | $54,150 | 40 | $62,008 | 24% |
| Reading, PA | $54,050 | 100 | $55,687 | 34% |
| Charleston, SC | $53,990 | 350 | $53,476 | 45% |
| St. George, UT | $53,840 | 110 | $55,322 | 41% |
| Birmingham, AL | $53,830 | 320 | $58,738 | 31% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $53,820 | 600 | $54,951 | 42% |
| Lincoln, NE | $53,760 | 130 | $58,702 | 29% |
| Omaha, NE | $53,760 | 280 | $58,491 | 31% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $53,710 | 80 | $57,797 | 29% |
| Lakeland, FL | $53,660 | 180 | $55,239 | 41% |
| Salem, OR | $53,580 | 110 | $51,694 | 37% |
| Manhattan, KS | $53,390 | 50 | $59,216 | 28% |
| Traverse City, MI | $53,380 | 70 | $57,169 | 42% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $53,310 | 40 | $55,836 | 39% |
| Longview, TX | $53,300 | 30 | $59,563 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $53,200 | 210 | $52,736 | 43% |
| Lawrence, KS | $53,120 | 70 | $58,863 | 35% |
| Green Bay, WI | $53,040 | 150 | $56,980 | 25% |
| Gainesville, FL | $52,990 | 120 | $54,780 | 37% |
| Richmond, VA | $52,920 | 690 | $54,078 | 39% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $52,860 | 770 | $55,835 | 33% |
| Bozeman, MT | $52,850 | 90 | $51,556 | 50% |
| York, PA | $52,820 | 60 | $55,021 | 31% |
| Daphne, AL | $52,780 | 60 | $55,740 | 39% |
| Peoria, IL | $52,770 | 130 | $57,842 | 26% |
| Akron, OH | $52,640 | 250 | $56,378 | 30% |
| Topeka, KS | $52,580 | 120 | $59,198 | 29% |
| Toledo, OH | $52,500 | 190 | $57,405 | 29% |
| Pensacola, FL | $52,460 | 100 | $53,686 | 40% |
| Ocala, FL | $52,430 | 80 | $55,054 | 36% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $52,330 | 80 | $52,160 | 49% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $52,290 | 50 | $53,076 | 34% |
| San Antonio, TX | $52,240 | 890 | $55,154 | 33% |
| Ogden, UT | $52,230 | 150 | $52,048 | 37% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $52,080 | 180 | $56,940 | 35% |
| Nashville, TN | $52,000 | 1,730 | $53,977 | 42% |
| Greenville, SC | $51,890 | 190 | $55,640 | 36% |
| Crestview, FL | $51,820 | 100 | $53,406 | 46% |
| Tulsa, OK | $51,820 | 390 | $58,085 | 32% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,660 | 110 | $58,069 | 28% |
| Missoula, MT | $51,660 | 70 | $53,564 | 38% |
| Lafayette, IN | $51,570 | 110 | $55,196 | 34% |
| Flint, MI | $51,540 | 60 | $55,399 | 24% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $51,480 | 960 | $53,979 | 35% |
| Roanoke, VA | $51,450 | – | $54,957 | 33% |
| Springfield, MO | $51,250 | 150 | $57,854 | 29% |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,200 | 330 | $55,310 | 40% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $51,170 | 60 | $55,633 | 34% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $51,120 | 200 | $53,503 | 35% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $50,970 | 80 | $53,714 | 40% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $50,930 | 60 | $54,935 | 39% |
| Tucson, AZ | $50,690 | 330 | $52,314 | 35% |
| Bloomington, IL | $50,610 | 70 | $54,107 | 31% |
| Kenosha, WI | $50,540 | 40 | $49,981 | – |
| Abilene, TX | $50,510 | 30 | $55,896 | 47% |
| Champaign, IL | $50,440 | 110 | $54,410 | 33% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $50,290 | 150 | $50,287 | 45% |
| Atlanta, GA | $50,140 | 3,470 | $50,111 | 44% |
| Jackson, MS | $50,110 | 80 | $56,273 | 35% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $50,100 | 50 | $50,990 | 45% |
| Cleveland, OH | $50,080 | 1,060 | $53,320 | 35% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $50,070 | 90 | $53,957 | 27% |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,060 | 160 | $51,918 | 42% |
| Louisville, KY | $50,020 | 440 | $53,742 | 32% |
| Greensboro, NC | $49,990 | 270 | $53,831 | 34% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $49,990 | 50 | $54,903 | 35% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $49,980 | 110 | $53,933 | 34% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $49,970 | 1,120 | $49,540 | 39% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $49,910 | 520 | $52,237 | 39% |
| La Crosse, WI | $49,780 | 60 | $54,245 | 33% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $49,730 | 60 | $57,383 | 27% |
| Janesville, WI | $49,720 | 40 | $53,061 | 31% |
| College Station, TX | $49,670 | 90 | $54,612 | 36% |
| Racine, WI | $49,660 | 50 | $51,750 | 35% |
| Asheville, NC | $49,590 | 230 | $51,385 | 41% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $49,590 | 40 | $52,660 | 39% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $49,500 | 50 | $54,891 | 29% |
| Dalton, GA | $49,490 | 40 | $55,084 | 34% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,470 | 90 | $52,829 | 42% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $49,410 | 30 | $54,572 | 28% |
| Amarillo, TX | $49,370 | 70 | $53,768 | 32% |
| Hickory, NC | $49,340 | 60 | $55,760 | 39% |
| Lexington, KY | $49,280 | 240 | $53,053 | 39% |
| Springfield, IL | $49,260 | 60 | $53,113 | 29% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $49,180 | 140 | $51,856 | 31% |
| Davenport, IA | $49,140 | 90 | $55,165 | 24% |
| Macon, GA | $49,130 | 40 | $55,497 | 30% |
| Killeen, TX | $49,090 | 60 | $53,867 | 32% |
| Canton, OH | $48,880 | 80 | $54,672 | 28% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $48,870 | 40 | $55,710 | 41% |
| Scranton, PA | $48,810 | 110 | $52,172 | 33% |
| Savannah, GA | $48,750 | 200 | $51,205 | 44% |
| Saginaw, MI | $48,640 | 60 | $53,515 | 26% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,440 | 140 | $52,327 | 31% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $48,360 | 130 | $53,359 | 31% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $48,330 | 40 | $54,936 | 25% |
| South Bend, IN | $48,270 | 130 | $51,983 | 31% |
| Morgantown, WV | $48,260 | 40 | $51,713 | 34% |
| Lubbock, TX | $48,240 | 80 | $52,827 | 33% |
| Tyler, TX | $48,160 | 50 | $52,259 | 33% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $48,110 | 80 | $48,945 | 46% |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,030 | 100 | $52,487 | 44% |
| Beaumont, TX | $48,020 | 80 | $53,328 | 33% |
| Billings, MT | $48,010 | 50 | $51,333 | 35% |
| Ames, IA | $47,980 | 100 | $54,013 | 29% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $47,890 | 710 | $52,971 | 35% |
| Stockton, CA | $47,870 | 200 | $45,552 | 61% |
| Columbia, SC | $47,830 | 180 | $51,067 | 39% |
| Appleton, WI | $47,770 | 110 | $51,689 | 30% |
| Wichita, KS | $47,770 | 160 | $53,707 | 30% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $47,750 | 30 | $55,596 | 27% |
| Mobile, AL | $47,750 | 60 | $54,201 | 32% |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,440 | 40 | $53,953 | 38% |
| Kingsport, TN | $47,380 | 60 | $54,808 | 34% |
| Fargo, ND | $47,370 | 140 | $52,129 | 28% |
| Niles, MI | $47,360 | 70 | $51,272 | 36% |
| San Angelo, TX | $47,110 | 30 | $50,956 | 34% |
| Minot, ND | $47,080 | 30 | $54,098 | 32% |
| Youngstown, OH | $47,020 | 60 | $53,802 | 27% |
| Lafayette, LA | $46,850 | 40 | $53,722 | 35% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $46,800 | 30 | $50,823 | 40% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $46,680 | 50 | $52,844 | 48% |
| Evansville, IN | $46,500 | 90 | $50,804 | 28% |
| McAllen, TX | $46,460 | 130 | $54,089 | 29% |
| Brownsville, TX | $46,410 | 60 | $53,981 | 39% |
| Pocatello, ID | $46,410 | 40 | $52,201 | 28% |
| Rapid City, SD | $46,360 | 60 | $51,996 | 38% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $46,340 | 30 | $52,781 | 25% |
| Erie, PA | $46,240 | 60 | $50,841 | 29% |
| Jackson, TN | $46,200 | 30 | $54,021 | 36% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,890 | 70 | $51,352 | 34% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $45,810 | 60 | $46,737 | 52% |
| Elkhart, IN | $45,650 | 40 | $50,540 | 31% |
| Wausau, WI | $45,570 | 40 | $49,185 | 25% |
| Winchester, VA | $44,960 | 50 | $46,615 | 49% |
| Columbus, GA | $44,930 | 100 | $50,316 | 36% |
| Salisbury, MD | $44,830 | 120 | $46,885 | 52% |
| Jackson, MI | $44,700 | 40 | $48,704 | 32% |
| Rockford, IL | $44,690 | 80 | $48,495 | 35% |
| Athens, GA | $44,220 | 60 | $47,374 | 48% |
| Bloomington, IN | $44,200 | 70 | $46,485 | 47% |
| El Paso, TX | $44,140 | 140 | $49,092 | 41% |
| Laredo, TX | $44,090 | 50 | $50,704 | 31% |
| Florence, SC | $42,940 | 30 | $49,485 | 42% |
| Clarksville, TN | $42,850 | 50 | $47,115 | 38% |
| Gainesville, GA | $42,700 | 70 | $44,127 | 48% |
| Mansfield, OH | $38,440 | 30 | $43,253 | 28% |
| Sandusky, OH | $37,230 | 80 | $41,700 | 58% |
| Charleston, WV | $36,460 | 40 | $41,097 | 40% |
| Gulfport, MS | $36,400 | 80 | $40,442 | 47% |
| The Villages, FL | $35,730 | 30 | $41,827 | 58% |
| Huntington, WV | $34,220 | 60 | $38,701 | 38% |
| Wheeling, WV | $32,610 | 40 | $36,921 | 32% |
| Waco, TX | $32,270 | – | $34,868 | 53% |
What the median event planner salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $61,160 |
| Month | $5,097 |
| Every two weeks | $2,352 |
| Week | $1,176 |
| Hour | $29.41 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an event planner: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 16,800 |
| Self-employed | 10.1% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $83,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| Loan officer | $76,690 | Bachelor's degree |
| Project manager | $102,320 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial advisor | $105,070 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial analyst | $102,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| HR specialist | $75,940 | Bachelor's degree |
| Management consultant | $101,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| Claims adjuster | $78,000 | High school diploma |
Questions about event planner pay
How much does an event planner make an hour?
The median is $29.41 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $17.71 and the top 10% over $48.90.
How much does an event planner make a month?
About $5,097 a month before taxes at the median salary of $61,160, or $2,352 every two weeks.
What state pays event planners the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $76,970. Massachusetts ($75,740), New York ($74,730), Hawaii ($74,460) and Vermont ($74,310) follow.
Where do event planners make the most after cost of living?
Vermont: its median of $74,310 is worth $75,859 at typical US prices. Massachusetts, the District of Columbia and Louisiana come next.
How much do entry-level event planners make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of event planners earn under $36,830 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $46,970, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an event planner?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 13-1121 (Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.