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Event organizer vs special events coordinator

The differences between event organizers and special events coordinators 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 organizer and a special events coordinator. Additionally, a special events coordinator has an average salary of $40,063, which is higher than the $32,676 average annual salary of an event organizer.

The top three skills for an event organizer include event logistics, event planning and travel arrangements. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.

Event organizer vs special events coordinator overview

Event OrganizerSpecial Events Coordinator
Yearly salary$32,676$40,063
Hourly rate$15.71$19.26
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs6,59534,538
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Event organizer vs special events coordinator salary

Event organizers and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Event OrganizerSpecial Events Coordinator
Average salary$32,676$40,063
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $43,000Between $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

Differences between event organizer and special events coordinator education

There are a few differences between an event organizer and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:

Event OrganizerSpecial Events Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Event organizer vs special events coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between event organizers' and special events coordinators' demographics:

Event OrganizerSpecial Events Coordinator
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 45.9% Female, 54.1%Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 62.3% 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between event organizer and special events coordinator duties and responsibilities

Event organizer example responsibilities.

  • Manage RSVP lists, checked-in attendees at events, and insure guest satisfaction at all times.
  • Create PowerPoint for the event.
  • Assist in generation of advertisements and Facebook posts announcing events.
  • Develop agenda and itinerary, organize and procure all speaker biographies and materials and logistics for successful program execution.
  • Co-developed marketing collateral and media programming for NBA events.

Special events coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with MDA families, volunteers, sponsors and fellow staff to achieve MDA objectives.
  • Maintain business website and manage Facebook account.
  • Manage reservations and priority seating for VIP diners to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
  • Compile programs and PowerPoint presentations for day of event.
  • Check RSVP lines and provide attendee list for day of event.
  • Create promotional flyers, brochures, and PowerPoint presentations for multiple target markets.
  • Show more

Event organizer vs special events coordinator skills

Common event organizer skills
  • Event Logistics, 19%
  • Event Planning, 13%
  • Travel Arrangements, 8%
  • Facebook, 7%
  • Charity Events, 5%
  • Community Events, 5%
Common special events coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Event Planning, 11%
  • Press Releases, 4%
  • Event Logistics, 4%
  • Event Management, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 3%

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