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The differences between directors of entertainment and directors of special events can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a director of entertainment, becoming a director of special events takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a director of entertainment has an average salary of $101,163, which is higher than the $63,671 average annual salary of a director of special events.
The top three skills for a director of entertainment include facebook, business development and booking. The most important skills for a director of special events are event planning, alumni, and event management.
| Director Of Entertainment | Director Of Special Events | |
| Yearly salary | $101,163 | $63,671 |
| Hourly rate | $48.64 | $30.61 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 5,768 | 23,252 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A director of entertainment usually works at establishments where they are primarily in charge of organizing and overseeing entertainment programs, ensuring optimal services and guest satisfaction. They take the lead in setting goals and timelines, managing budgets, establishing guidelines, conducting research to develop entertainment plans, and coordinating managers and staff to ensure operations run smoothly and efficiently. They also participate in reaching out to entertainers such as singers or dancers, securing supplies, and developing marketing plans. Moreover, a director of entertainment leads employees to reach goals and implements the company's standards and regulations.
A director of special events spearheads and oversees the planning and execution of various events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They typically set goals and guidelines, manage schedules and timelines, outline plans and strategies, coordinate managers and different departments, and liaise with vendors and suppliers, building positive business relationships in the process. Moreover, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals while implementing and promoting the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Directors of entertainment and directors of special events have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Entertainment | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average salary | $101,163 | $63,671 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $152,000 | Between $35,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | NRDC |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a director of entertainment and a director of special events in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Entertainment | Director Of Special Events | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of entertainment' and directors of special events' demographics:
| Director Of Entertainment | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7% | Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 16% |