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The differences between event planners 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 planner and an event specialist. Additionally, an event planner has an average salary of $51,542, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.
The top three skills for an event planner include customer service, vendor contracts and plan events. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.
| Event Planner | Event Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,542 | $41,294 |
| Hourly rate | $24.78 | $19.85 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 19,793 | 12,130 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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 planners and event specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Planner | Event Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,542 | $41,294 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $74,000 | Between $26,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stamford, CT | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | Intelliswift | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an event planner and an event specialist in terms of educational background:
| Event Planner | Event Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | 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 planners' and event specialists' demographics:
| Event Planner | Event Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6% | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |