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What is an event producer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Johnathan Paul,
Mark Zanter

If you have ever attended an event, whether it was a big one with lots of attendees or an intimate gathering, you may have appreciated how well-run some it was. It takes a great team to ensure that events will proceed without a hitch. It is important that, even if there are many different people involved, they were coordinated with proper instructions. This is where an event producer comes in.

Event producers, in the most basic sense, manage events from inception to implementation. They work with clients to understand the vision for the event. They then coordinate with suppliers and ensure that preparations go smoothly. They manage every concern that may arise and ensure that these concerns are properly mitigated. On the day of the event, they ensure that all aspects are accounted for and that every supplier followed instructions.

If you enjoy event management, being an event producer would be a good career for you. In this role, you need to have a wide network. As such, you should know how to communicate well and should have an approachable demeanor.

What general advice would you give to an event producer?

Johnathan PaulJohnathan Paul LinkedIn profile

Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas

My number one piece of advice for soon-to-be or recent graduates is never to stop learning. I always strive to tell my students to be as diverse as possible. Don't just know one thing; in today's market, you need to know how to do several things. Diversify your tool palette. This will help you in the long run and may lead you to a career path you didn't realize existed.
ScoreEvent ProducerUS Average
Salary
4.4

Avg. Salary $56,802

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 18%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 5.99%

Black or African American 10.87%

Hispanic or Latino 16.80%

Unknown 4.72%

White 61.37%

Gender

female 59.47%

male 40.53%

Age - 36
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Event producer career paths

Key steps to become an event producer

  1. Explore event producer education requirements

    Most common event producer degrees

    Bachelor's

    82.4 %

    Master's

    7.7 %

    Associate

    7.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific event producer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Event Production12.71%
    Event Logistics8.59%
    Project Management7.16%
    Event Planning5.94%
    Vendor Contracts5.01%
  3. Complete relevant event producer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New event producers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an event producer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real event producer resumes.
  4. Research event producer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage post-event summation to determine successes, ROI, future enhancements, and follow-up communications.
    • Manage relationships including those between VIP guests, vendors, press and stake holders alike.
    • Manage door entry for all invite guests and celebrities along with coordination and creation of invite and VIP guest list.
    • Negotiate contracts with venues, third party vendors, booking agents and artist's management.
  5. Prepare your event producer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your event producer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an event producer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable event producer resume templates

    Build a professional event producer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your event producer resume.
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
    Event Producer Resume
  6. Apply for event producer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an event producer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first event producer job

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Average event producer salary

The average event producer salary in the United States is $56,802 per year or $27 per hour. Event producer salaries range between $27,000 and $118,000 per year.

Average event producer salary
$56,802 Yearly
$27.31 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do event producers rate their job?

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Event producer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021
Pros

I was a theater major who received my CMP and realized I could put on a production in the corporate world. Event Planning allows me to utilize my skillset in a way I didn't know was possible. I also have the opportunity to travel and most venues treat you well when you're the planner (if you're the one in charge of the event).

Cons

There is nothing more stressful then this job. As you get closer to an event, the days get longer and the job can become 24/7, especially while the event is happening. If you're looking for a job you clock out from at 5pm, this is not the job for you. You're also in charge of budgets, F&B, Centerpieces, Entertainment, Speakers, Content, App Development, Registration, the list is endless. If you aren't good under pressure, this is not the job for you.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Cons

a lot of stuff to do and not enough time


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Cons

There are times when no matter what you do - a difficult and unhappy customer who has a bad attitude with everything, will not be happy. No matter what you do.

Pros

Working as an Event Coordinator/Planner is the most exhilarating and ultimately the most rewarding job - at least for me, it is. I have the passion and drive to turn a simple birthday bash into a themed, carnival affair! I love to see the guests faces when they walk through the door to be whisked away into a different era! I enjoy getting to know the client and to understand their vision. Because in the end - if I have done my job correctly as an event planner and the final outcome was successful - then I have done my job to the best of my ability


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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