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The differences between event planning managers 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 planning manager and an event specialist. Additionally, an event planning manager has an average salary of $52,565, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.
The top three skills for an event planning manager include event management, smooth execution and event sales. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.
| Event Planning Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,565 | $41,294 |
| Hourly rate | $25.27 | $19.85 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 21,149 | 12,130 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Event planning managers have responsibilities such as planning, organizing, promoting, and social events. They also perform tasks like booking venues, coordinating with clients and suppliers, managing invoices and budgets, and handling logistics. Managers negotiate sales agreements for room rentals, function space, food and beverage services, and coordinate room reservations and amenities. They also handle billing and accounting and present post-event reports. Planners must maintain contracts, permits, event management plans, and databases and spreadsheets with timelines and action plans.
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 planning managers and event specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Planning Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,565 | $41,294 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $74,000 | Between $26,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between an event planning manager and an event specialist in terms of educational background:
| Event Planning Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | 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 planning managers' and event specialists' demographics:
| Event Planning Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.5% Female, 77.5% | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |