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Event planner vs site coordinator

The differences between event planners and site 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 and a site coordinator. Additionally, an event planner has an average salary of $51,542, which is higher than the $38,256 average annual salary of a site coordinator.

The top three skills for an event planner include customer service, vendor contracts and plan events. The most important skills for a site coordinator are customer service, data entry, and CPR.

Event planner vs site coordinator overview

Event PlannerSite Coordinator
Yearly salary$51,542$38,256
Hourly rate$24.78$18.39
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs19,79329,397
Job satisfaction54
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

What does an event planner do?

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.

What does a site coordinator do?

A site coordinator is responsible for organizing special events and programs based on a client's specifications or a business's needs. Site coordinators ensure that the plan will go well by monitoring their resources, coordinating with third-party services, researching the best settings, finalizing the list of attendees, and managing the budget goals. A site coordinator usually works with the marketing department of an organization for promotional strategies and addresses any concerns that an attendee might have.

Event planner vs site coordinator salary

Event planners and site coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Event PlannerSite Coordinator
Average salary$51,542$38,256
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $74,000Between $25,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CityStamford, CTNew Haven, CT
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyIntelliswiftMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between event planner and site coordinator education

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

Event PlannerSite Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Event planner vs site coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between event planners' and site coordinators' demographics:

Event PlannerSite Coordinator
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.8% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between event planner and site coordinator duties and responsibilities

Event planner example responsibilities.

  • Manage client RFP s, develop detailed proposals & client pitches.
  • Produce, implement, and manage sales lead forms and online surveys to determine overall ROI.
  • Manage VIP & bottle service, sell tickets, hire promoters, promotional models, disc jockeys & staff for venues.
  • Manage and ship all marketing and advertising kits and giveaways for career fairs, on-campus presentations, final rounds and orientations.
  • Coordinate and host successful client seminars, creating invitations and promotional materials, booking venues, and selecting guest speakers.
  • Coordinate travel arrangements, including booking airfare, hotel and transportation.
  • Show more

Site coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and write marketing and promotional contents on multiple Facebook and Instagram accounts.
  • Manage AmeriCorps members when immediate supervisor are absent.
  • Manage ALC interactive exhibition operations including ALC staff and guest services, gallery prep/maintenance and inventory of art materials.
  • Conduct first aid and or CPR to students if need
  • Administer first aid, CPR, and medications when necessary.
  • Plan, implement, and facilitate k-12 outreach programs using research base materials.
  • Show more

Event planner vs site coordinator skills

Common event planner skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Vendor Contracts, 12%
  • Plan Events, 8%
  • Event Management, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Event Logistics, 3%
Common site coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Direct Supervision, 7%
  • Team Work, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%

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