Facilities Managers
Median wage · national
$106,660
Range: $82K – $139K
Employed
156K
Openings/yr
13K
Typically: bachelor's degree
Event Planners
Event Planners earn $61,160 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $46,970 and $78,790. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Event Planners
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
- Median Wage
- $61,160
- Employed Nationally
- 143K
- Openings / Year
- 15,500
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Catering and Convention Services Manager
Catering Coordinator
Catering Director
Certified Meeting Professional
Conference Manager
How Much Do Event Planners Make?
Event Planners earn $61,160 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,970 and $78,790. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$61,160
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$47K–$79K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$46,970
Entry-level
$61,160
Median
$78,790
Experienced
What Do Event Planners Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Event Planners roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
- Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
- Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
- Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
- Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Service Orientation
Critical Thinking
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Event Planners Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Event Planners?
The BLS projects +4.8% employment change for Event Planners through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 15,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.8%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
15,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
143K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Event Planners professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $61,160 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 17,800 | $66,990 | +9.5% |
| 2 | New York | 11,720 | $73,230 | +19.7% |
| 3 | Florida | 9,670 | $58,830 | -3.8% |
| 4 | Texas | 9,510 | $56,500 | -7.6% |
| 5 | Ohio | 5,030 | $50,390 | -17.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Event Planners positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospitality Management | 14,076 | $56,726 | 658 |
| 2 | Housing and Human Environments | 314 | $59,550 | 35 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Event Planners
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| 2 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 90 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| 3 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | 90 | $11,297 | $61,675 |
| 4 | Florida International University Miami, FL | 90 | $9,288 | $60,249 |
| 5 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL | 89 | $9,812 | $57,743 |
| 6 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO | 88 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Event Planners, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Event Planners pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Event Planners Pros & Cons
The data on Event Planners shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $61,160 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.8% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $61,160 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $46,970 is considerably below the $61,160 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Event Planners Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Event Planners professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Event Planners is $61,160, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,970 and $78,790. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Event Planners a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $61,160 median, with +4.8% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Event Planners?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Hospitality Management are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $61,160 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Event Planners?
The BLS projects +4.8% employment change for Event Planners through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 15,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 143K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Event Planners professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Event Planners roles: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
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- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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