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Event planner assistant vs special events coordinator

The differences between event planner assistants 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 planner assistant and a special events coordinator. Additionally, a special events coordinator has an average salary of $40,063, which is higher than the $34,748 average annual salary of an event planner assistant.

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

Event planner assistant vs special events coordinator overview

Event Planner AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Yearly salary$34,748$40,063
Hourly rate$16.71$19.26
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs20,45234,538
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Event planner assistant vs special events coordinator salary

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

Event Planner AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Average salary$34,748$40,063
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $53,000Between $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 planner assistant and special events coordinator education

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

Event Planner AssistantSpecial 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 planner assistant vs special events coordinator demographics

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

Event Planner AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 17.1% Female, 82.9%Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 planner assistant and special events coordinator duties and responsibilities

Event planner assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and ship all marketing and advertising kits and giveaways for career fairs, on-campus presentations, final rounds and orientations.
  • Prepare group history, billing information, deposits, filing, and VIP information.
  • Ensure VIP visitors are treated according to their status/culture to include organizing meals, travel and lodging as necessary.
  • Design posters and presentation using PowerPoint to increase attendees.
  • 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 planner assistant vs special events coordinator skills

Common event planner assistant skills
  • Event Planning, 24%
  • Travel Arrangements, 7%
  • Corporate Events, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Event Management, 4%
  • Bride, 3%
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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