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The differences between event planning managers 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 planning manager and a special events coordinator. Additionally, an event planning manager has an average salary of $52,565, which is higher than the $40,063 average annual salary of a special events coordinator.
The top three skills for an event planning manager include event management, smooth execution and event sales. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.
| Event Planning Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $52,565 | $40,063 |
| Hourly rate | $25.27 | $19.26 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 21,149 | 34,538 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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.
A special events coordinator is in charge of organizing and devising plans for an event, even monitoring all progress to ensure everything is running smoothly. They are typically responsible for consulting with clients and understanding the event's purpose, offering a selection of venues and caterers, providing cost estimates, and booking various services such as speakers, equipment, location, photographers, videographers, and other essential factors. Moreover, a special events coordinator manages all processes involved in setting up and down an event, all while maintaining client satisfaction.
Event planning managers and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Planning Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $52,565 | $40,063 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $74,000 | Between $26,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Smithsonian Institution |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Education |
There are a few differences between an event planning manager and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Event Planning Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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 special events coordinators' demographics:
| Event Planning Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.5% Female, 77.5% | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |