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The differences between event coordinators and event specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, an event coordinator has an average salary of $41,918, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.
The top three skills for an event coordinator include customer service, event management and powerpoint. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.
| Event Coordinator | Event Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $41,918 | $41,294 |
| Hourly rate | $20.15 | $19.85 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 26,277 | 12,130 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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.
Events specialists, also known as events producers or event planners, have many roles and responsibilities. They establish event concepts, select venues, secure sponsorships, and handle logistics for events. Also, they plan and manage event timelines, coordinate technical aspects, and manage risks. Event specialists are also responsible for communicating with vendors, organizing marketing materials, and liaising with event speakers. To become an event specialist, one should need to meet several qualifications that include having a degree in marketing, hospitality, or public relations. Organization skills and experience in project management are also important.
Event coordinators and event specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Coordinator | Event Specialist | |
| Average salary | $41,918 | $41,294 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $56,000 | Between $26,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Maine | New York |
| Best paying company | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between an event coordinator and an event specialist in terms of educational background:
| Event Coordinator | Event Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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 specialists' demographics:
| Event Coordinator | Event Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% |
| 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, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |