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The differences between entertainment coordinators and special events coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an entertainment coordinator, becoming a special events coordinator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a special events coordinator has an average salary of $40,063, which is higher than the $39,531 average annual salary of an entertainment coordinator.
The top three skills for an entertainment coordinator include event planning, POS and DJ. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.
| Entertainment Coordinator | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,531 | $40,063 |
| Hourly rate | $19.01 | $19.26 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 17,557 | 34,538 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
The primary responsibility of an entertainment coordinator is to make sure events take place smoothly. They plan entertainment activities, coordinate with floral arrangers and floor designers, and contact entertainers who might grace the event. They are also responsible for the procurement and distribution of souvenirs. All of this must be considered in line with the event host's budget.
A special events coordinator is in charge of organizing and devising plans for an event, even monitoring all progress to ensure everything is running smoothly. They are typically responsible for consulting with clients and understanding the event's purpose, offering a selection of venues and caterers, providing cost estimates, and booking various services such as speakers, equipment, location, photographers, videographers, and other essential factors. Moreover, a special events coordinator manages all processes involved in setting up and down an event, all while maintaining client satisfaction.
Entertainment coordinators and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Entertainment Coordinator | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $39,531 | $40,063 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $55,000 | Between $26,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Smithsonian Institution |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between an entertainment coordinator and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Entertainment Coordinator | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between entertainment coordinators' and special events coordinators' demographics:
| Entertainment Coordinator | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 16% |