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The differences between event coordinators and event planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an event coordinator and an event planner. Additionally, an event planner has an average salary of $51,542, which is higher than the $41,918 average annual salary of an event coordinator.
The top three skills for an event coordinator include customer service, event management and powerpoint. The most important skills for an event planner are customer service, vendor contracts, and plan events.
| Event Coordinator | Event Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $41,918 | $51,542 |
| Hourly rate | $20.15 | $24.78 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 26,277 | 19,793 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An event coordinator is responsible for planning and working out on special events based on the client's specifications. Event coordinators' duties include suggesting appropriate venues, providing cost estimates and financial reports, selecting best vendors for the event's needs, and working on the client's approval for any adjustments to be made. An event coordinator must have excellent communication, time-management, organizational, and critical-thinking skills to address any concerns and possible inconsistencies that might affect the event's performance.
An event planner is responsible for organizing events, following the clients' needs, instructions, and budget goals. Event planners must be highly communicative to coordinate and negotiate contracts with suppliers, third-party vendors, and venue rentals. They finalize the guest list, catering services, and assist with marketing materials to promote the event. An event planner should also have a broad knowledge of the current market industry trends, which plays a vital role in planning and organizing future event opportunities.
Event coordinators and event planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Coordinator | Event Planner | |
| Average salary | $41,918 | $51,542 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $56,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Intelliswift |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between an event coordinator and an event planner in terms of educational background:
| Event Coordinator | Event Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between event coordinators' and event planners' demographics:
| Event Coordinator | Event Planner | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% | Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |