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Job outlook for event producers in the United States
Are event producer jobs in demand?
Event producer job and salary trends over time
Event producer jobs over time
Event producer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,434 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,604 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,719 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,609 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,497 | 0.00% |
Average event producer salary over time
Event producer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,802 | $27.31 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $55,744 | $26.80 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $54,389 | $26.15 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $53,199 | $25.58 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $52,164 | $25.08 | +1.1% |
Event producer jobs by state
Most common states for event producers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 78 | 11% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 34 | 5% |
| 3 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 78 | 3% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 23 | 3% |
| 5 | California | 39,536,653 | 684 | 2% |
| 6 | New York | 19,849,399 | 479 | 2% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 215 | 2% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 208 | 2% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 197 | 2% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 154 | 2% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 136 | 2% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 135 | 2% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 111 | 2% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 77 | 2% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 76 | 2% |
| 16 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 30 | 2% |
| 17 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 28 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 21 | 2% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 21 | 2% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 14 | 2% |
Most common cities for event producers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain View | 2 | 2% | $82,613 |
| 2 | Bristol | 1 | 2% | $87,202 |
| 3 | Tigard | 1 | 2% | $62,915 |
| 4 | Waltham | 1 | 2% | $79,664 |
| 5 | Hillsboro | 1 | 1% | $63,126 |
| 6 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $59,386 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $40,739 |
| 8 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $40,263 |
| 9 | Portland | 1 | 0% | $62,382 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $83,663 |
Event Producer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of event producer experts
Ohio State University - Marion Campus
Seattle University
University of North Alabama
Marshall University
Spokane Community College
University of Toledo
Missouri State University
Susquehanna University
Webster University
Columbia College Chicago
Drexel University
Baylor University
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Events Industry
Lasell University
Florida State University
University of North Texas
What general advice would you give to an Event Producer?
Dr. Rachel Skaggs PhD: In the entertainment industries, there are few barriers to entry, be proactive to build community with others in the field, focus on occupational community for job opportunities and collaborations.
What Event Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Rachel Skaggs PhD: Specialize in a skill that commands a higher salary, consider skills in demand in the industry, learn technical skills like recording, editing, or production.
What will help Event Producers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Rachel Skaggs PhD: Business, financial or entrepreneurial skills, project management skills, technology skills, networking or relationship building skills.
Jim Clune
InstructorSeattle University
Communication Department
What experience really stands out on Event Producer resumes?
Jim Clune: When reviewing resumes with students, I always emphasize that they go beyond output to outcome. They should definitely share what they have done and are capable of doing, but it is far more important to explain their impact, the direct employer benefit. What really stands out is when someone can quantify their accomplishments.
The other thing I share with students is to frame their non-career work experience as relevant skill building. A budding PR professional can learn a lot as a barista at Starbucks: customer relations, marketing, problem resolution, organizational representation, etc.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Event Producers?
Jim Clune: Virtual work is certainly here to stay. Interest in remote work has skyrocketed. This is good news as geography is less restrictive than it used to be, particularly in the information industry. LinkedIn reports that members are more likely to connect with others outside of the area where they live. One positive aspect of remote work is that it can shift the focus from how employees present themselves - for example, what they are wearing - to how employees demonstrate their expertise through what they say and what they can do.
What type of skills will young Event Producers need?
Jim Clune: Beyond technical skills, another key skill continues to be an ability to work in teams, particularly with people who are different than yourself. This requires even more skill in how you communicate. How you communicate defines who you are in the eyes of your coworkers, and this is just as important, if not more important, when working virtually. This means not just an ability to clearly and concisely express your ideas but also your ability to project confidence and competence.
What skills stand out on Event Producer resumes?
Alex Wittscheck: Most artist manager positions in the music industry are not filled with a traditional job search where a resume is submitted. However, there are skills that a potential manager needs to demonstrate to earn a job. A manager's job is to represent the artist in all aspects of their career, so a manager must be organized, persuasive, a great communicator, and a quick learner.
My personal experience is with tour management which involves executing a plan for an artist's tour. Most artists want a tour manager to have verifiable experience or a good track record with related positions. Having a personal reference from a mutually trusted professional is always a plus as well.
A manager must know when they can handle a job themselves and when to delegate the work to someone with more knowledge. So, self-awareness is a valued trait. Along with that, the manager needs to have a vast network of other entertainment professionals to call upon when needed. A great manager is always building relationships.
What soft skills should all Event Producers possess?
Alex Wittscheck: It is hard to describe which soft skills are most important for an artist manager. Creativity is very important, especially when it comes to creative problem-solving. Being a manager is sometimes art of its own. A manager is on call 24/7. If an artist has an issue, their manager will be the first person they call. Being able to take these issues in stride and solve any immediate issues quickly requires creative thinking. While problem-solving, the manager often has reassured the artist and others that the problems would be handled. An artist that is worried about anything other than making great art is an artist that needs a new manager.
Another soft skill that managers need is the ability to make, build, and maintain professional relationships. A manager must be personable. They will be communicating with all kinds of business contacts and representing their artist directly. A manager that cannot represent themselves well does not have much hope when looking to represent an artist. Being kind, understanding, and empathetic while maintaining quick thinking and decisiveness is a never-ending balancing act for an artist manager.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Event Producers?
Alex Wittscheck: Being able to work and communicate in a digital world is important. Managers are constantly communicating via email and text message. Basic computer skills are required. However, beyond that, different managers and firms choose different software to keep up with their work.
Having skills in bookkeeping can be valuable. An artist's manager is responsible for maintaining the artist's money if they do not have a separate business manager. Managers will look toward the next goal the artist has set and make sure there is a plan to fund that project. This means managers will help create, maintain, and execute budgets for every project and tour that an artist will do.
Lastly, digital marketing skills are invaluable in today's entertainment industry. Careers are made (and sometimes destroyed) by content that is posted to social media. Managers must have their fingers on the pulse of digital culture as it progresses. The manager can then take this information and use it to inform marketing strategies for their client that hit the target demographic of their fans.
What skills will help Event Producers earn the most?
Alex Wittscheck: Managers make their money off of a commission of their client's income. To make more money as a manager, the manager must find more lucrative income streams for the client. The most important piece of the relationship between an artist and their manager is trust. The artist must be sure that their manager believes in them. The manager must cultivate this trust from the artist over time and prove that the trust is warranted by making great decisions. The manager must be forward-thinking and persuasive. Above all else, the manager has to be someone that the artist wants to partner with.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Mark Zanter: Not much change in the music education market. There are fewer positions this year because of the uncertainty.
What soft skills should all Event Producers possess?
Mark Zanter: All graduates should be able to write and express themselves clearly and communicate effectively in their discipline.
What's a day at work look like for an Event Producer?
Mark Zanter: Most of Bachelor's students obtain a Masters degree since that is entry level for teaching in Higher ed. In recent years they have set themselves up as entrepreneurs in music business (writing jingles etc.), working as liturgical musicians, teaching privately, teaching in Higher ed, or working for an Arts Institution. Some will go into other fields like law, medicine, computer science, or public school teaching.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Duane Sunwold: Curb-side To Go, Food Trucks, Personal Catering, Family Farming, Farmers Markets. The meeting and convention market is expected to see an increase by 2022.
What Event Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Duane Sunwold: Personal Communication Skills, Vocational Math, Food Science
What general advice would you give to an Event Producer?
Duane Sunwold: Look for employment in Private Clubs, Supermarket Baking, Resorts, Casinos
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Deborah Orloff: Working remotely and meeting via Zoom (and similar video conferencing platforms) is obviously a huge trend, and I expect it to continue.
What skills stand out on Event Producer resumes?
Deborah Orloff: Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing situations and new technology has become more important than ever! Creativity and entrepreneurship are also very important!
Dr. Jokima Hiller
Assistant ProfessorMissouri State University
Department of Hospitality Leadership
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jokima Hiller: -Virtual interviews as the final interview. In the past, an interview via phone or Skype may have served as the initial screening interview prior to having the candidate come out for an in-person interview. Now, the virtual interview may be the pre-screening and final interview prior to offer.
-Virtual job fairs. There are a few online platforms such as Handshake that are being used for recruitment purposes. This prevents applicants from having to come on-property or to gather to see who is hiring. Job seekers can create a profile, log on to the platform, and go from employer to employer to see what opportunities they have available.
-Virtual tours. Candidates that are doing their own research on a business will definitely review the company's website. A hospitality company most likely has already provided photos and videos of their location for their guests. Now, these resources are being utilized by job seekers versus showing up or coming in for a tour.
In addition, there is more reliance today on social media as a way to get to know candidates.
What skills stand out on Event Producer resumes?
Dr. Jokima Hiller: Employers are seeking candidates who are:
- Adaptable, Flexible
- Have transferable skills such as customer service, financial management, problem solving, critical thinking, etc.
- Self-starter
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Producers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jokima Hiller: Look at secondary markets for opportunities. Unfortunately, many of your major markets have been hit hard resulting in closings or in closings, reopenings, and then closings again because there hasn't been enough business to sustain them. But, you will find that the next town over had hospitality businesses that scaled back but never closed thereby meeting the needs of their regulars and attracting displaced business from the larger markets. For example, Indianapolis is a major market where their downtown area was greatly impacted. However, some hotels in Fishers remained open and are now actively seeking candidates as they ramp back up.
Craig Stark Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Department Head of CommunicationsSusquehanna University
Communications Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Probably more remote work opportunities. I would expect many employers will find it more cost-effective to have employees work from home or remote sites, which means employees have to have a good working knowledge of time management and technical skills.
What general advice would you give to an Event Producer?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Be flexible and willing to change goals and perspectives. The industry is constantly changing and evolving but fortunately you can do anything with a communications degree. Use that flexibility to your advantage and do the best you can to prepare for any industrial, professional, and personal changes in your life.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Producers to find work opportunities?
Lara Teeter: Throw a rock over your shoulder and hit 20 in one throw! Literally, everywhere you turn, if you are hungry and smart, there is a place to find work. I like to use "Everything was Possible - the birth of the musical FOLLIES" by Ted Chapin as an example. He was in a position to fetch coffee for Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim, and Michael Bennett. After so many years, he was chosen by the Rodgers and Hammerstein families to run their business. He's also the co-founder of ENCORES. There are many "good places" to find work. There are also some "not so good" places to work. A young actor's journey must encounter both so that as they mature in the business, they can, hopefully, begin to choose what places/directors/organizations that they prefer to work with as well as those they don't. Until that day, however, a job is a job. The MUNY, The Glimmerglass Opera, Goodspeed, Pittsburg Civic Light Opera, Wichita Summer Musicals, Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City (these last two is where I got my start in the 1970s!), Barrington Stage, American Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Alabama Shakespeare, Seattle Reparatory Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, TX, Broadway Sacramento (formally California Musical Theatre)....the list goes on and on!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Duncan MacKenzie: The fine arts' job market is always aggressively entrepreneurial and requires our practitioners to establish their voice and space. With many of our more traditional paths squeezed or closed, we see an increased enthusiasm for online venues and the kinds of work that can support them. After the pandemic, we expect to see a return to the materially based practices and those with performative and social aspects, as the audience will be looking for less mediated experiences.
What skills stand out on Event Producer resumes?
Duncan MacKenzie: For all young artists, organizational skills, digital and web-based skills, and an ability to communicate verbally and textually are very important; beyond that, craft-based skills relevant to whatever is being made are always crucial.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Producers to find work opportunities?
Duncan MacKenzie: Artists can find relevance anywhere they want to work, but often, they must build the audience for their creative output. It is more comfortable in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, as they have pre-existing channels and communities for art-making and viewing. Still, those cities can be significantly more expensive to live in.
What skills stand out on Event Producer resumes?
Michael Wagner: Primarily an understanding of how to be productive in virtual teams. Anything that proves that somebody is capable of working independently and reliably.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Producers to find work opportunities?
Michael Wagner: In our fields, location is no longer a serious concern. People work from anywhere. There are still traditional pockets of media industries such as LA, but the overall tendency is to move into remote work arrangements.
What type of skills will young Event Producers need?
Chris Hansen: Students who want to work in media fields would benefit from a broad base of production skills as well as a solid understanding of theories related to visual aesthetics and what makes production more dynamic and visually interesting.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Producers to find work opportunities?
Chris Hansen: Most cities of any size have businesses and churches that need media professionals. Every business needs a media presence for their website, or social media, or advertising. So whether they do that with in-house media employees or outsource to firms or freelancers who handle the work, having these skills will make you employable in most medium-sized or large cities.
What type of skills will young Event Producers need?
David Carren: Critical thinking, a significant component of all successful creative endeavors, will be a considerable asset. Another essential ability to collaborate or work with others efficiently and effectively will also matter a great deal.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Producers to find work opportunities?
David Carren: For theatre, any area with a robust creative perimeter of professional theatre and narrative film and television production. This would mean living in a central metropolitan area or production center.
How do you envision technology impacting Event Producers in the next 5 years?
David Carren: The most significant impact will be in the nature and expansion of digital delivery systems for narrative film and television and live theatre.
What experience really stands out on Event Producer resumes?
Nate Bynum: Performance experience is the most apparent accomplishment theatre employers look for on a resume. The documented ability to sing, dance, and act, are still the standards that define a well-rounded theatre performer. A summary showing roles in a wide variety of genres (classical/period/musicals/comedies/dramas) will undoubtedly stand out versus one limited in number and scope. As well, classes taken are of interest to a potential employer. Courses in movement, voice, diction, screen acting, stage combat, etc., will suggest that the student was focused on being--or the program forced them to be--well-rounded and involved. And, fortunately, or unfortunately, the school can make a difference to employers.
The more prominent and more well-known the program, the more famous the alumni, the more severe or well-trained the student is deemed to be. I say "unfortunately" because that is often far from being true. There are many good students to be found on large and small campuses. A well-rounded theatre student has trained in various genres (stage, musicals, film/tv, opera) to prepare for a career in the arts. The operative word being "career." Say, for example, the theatre student is applying to teach at a university. The classes or specialized area of training becomes a lot more important than the proven ability to perform. And with that, the ability to write and communicate orally.
How do you envision technology impacting Event Producers in the next 5 years?
Nate Bynum: It will ever increase. Long before the pandemic, more and more stage performers were being asked to submit auditions via self-tapes. That process can be a time and money saver for both the theatre and the actor. Still, stage acting is centered around performing in front of a live audience, and the best way to prove confidence and ability in doing that is to audition live and respond to feedback in real-time. Recording and streaming live performances is already an issue causing legal ramifications between SAG-AFTRA and AEA. This is a sensitive issue at present.
On the other hand, technology has already impacted film/tv acting, and I think it is to stay there. A reliance on self-taped audition submissions, and Zoom auditions, will probably remain a norm in the on-screen discipline because, again, of time and cost. I think everyone is eager to get back to in-person auditions, getting adjustments in the room from the decision-makers, and just direct reading the room. Still, a lot of money has been spent on the equipment during the pandemic, and no one wants it only to become obsolete. Also, a lot of actors are getting good at self-taping. As well, casting directors have a lot more opportunities nowadays to cast multiple shows. The quick turnaround demanded from network, cable, and streaming shows doesn't allow for many in-person auditions.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Event Producers?
Nate Bynum: Undoubtedly, training was greatly affected during the pandemic. Arts training is now, and has always been, hands-on. Even if classes were allowed in-person, social distance spacing is anathema to the movement in the discipline. Theatre and screen acting are collaborative arts. Teachers and students have to work together and nearby. This can not be accomplished via Zoom and 6ft. spacing. Social distance does not exist in the arts. Thus, the limits placed on teachers and students in executing exercises, performing scene work or tech work, or proving to understand the intricate details of a particular art were lost and will have to be learned at another time.
What Event Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joel Reece Ph.D.: Communication skills related to cultural sensitivity
Hosting skills to coordinate and put on events to maximize facility use and revenue
What will help Event Producers increase their earning potential?
Joel Reece Ph.D.: Be willing to serve on extra committees. Anticipate the needs of your supervisor. Be dependable. Add value to the organization.
What general advice would you give to an Event Producer?
Joel Reece Ph.D.: Review job postings of career jobs you want to see what types of skills and experience they are looking for in applicants, then go find opportunities to gain those skills and experience.
Look for opportunities to get involved. It is ok to be a volunteer or have an entry level job.
Think of your job as a place you can get paid to learn. Work with the attitude to add value to the company.
Barbara Connell
Chair of Events Industry Council’s CMP Governance Commission and CEO at the American Society for Gastrointestinal EndoscopyEvents Industry
What type of skills will young Event Producers need?
Barbara Connell: Depending on the position that is available, various items draw attention. If a manager or junior role is being filled, an experience that shows continued alignment within a field or type of activity and learning within that field or activity is appealing. Dedication and consistency are always attractive. If a senior role is being filled, deep levels of varied responsibility and achievement are indicators that an individual is committed, focused, and likely to be a successful leader. Tenure is also attractive; staying in a position for 3-5 years or more is a positive trait and shows that the organization's investment will be protected.
How do you envision technology impacting Event Producers in the next 5 years?
Barbara Connell: The pandemic has shown us that we can deliver events and programming in a variety of ways with technology. Frankly, the field has been expanding in this direction over the past ten years; it was necessary to make a hard decision to move virtually more quickly and with greater breadth than originally anticipated. Delivering content virtually, testing remotely, and engaging learners or participants by using technology in a broader sense is promising. The face-to-face element of education and interaction will never go away, but organizations and associations have the opportunity to reach audiences they previously never envisioned. Each organization has a chance to be truly global now, as warranted, if they provide relevant content that is tailored for the remote learner and make it valuable. Shorter, more digestible content with clear objectives and outcomes will make organizations approachable. Don't try to do too much; however, use technology to do what you do best and reach previously unreachable constituents.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Event Producers?
Barbara Connell: Inevitably, there will be an impact, especially in those fields that rely on face-to-face learning, such as medicine. While we're learning how to better engage individuals safely in all areas, there are some fields that simply require personal, hands-on education, which is difficult and can be unsafe, especially when working with sick or compromised patients. Those who were scheduled to enter their final year of education over the last 5-8 months are going to experience education in a different fashion and likely have an altered outcome. It is critical for all educators to try to engage at a deeper level while remotely teaching, and then encourage the student to seek ongoing education after graduation to further hone skills. The concept of life-long learning is more important than ever.
Siddharth Mobar
Assistant ProfessorLasell University
Department of Hospitality & Event Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Producer job market given the pandemic?
Siddharth Mobar: There will be a reset of wages, cross-training as hotels will pivot to more efficient operations and there will be a demand for graduates with more specialized skills, professional hospitality industry certifications.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Event Producers in the next 3-5 years?
Siddharth Mobar: More brands will invest in check in and check out kiosks and apps will be more promoted than before. Better air quality and other ultraviolet cleaning tools.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Event Producers in the next 5 years?
Siddharth Mobar: There will be an increase, will go back to pre-pandemic levels when demand increases.
What general advice would you give to an Event Producer?
Michael Neal Ph.D.: The advice can be tricky, especially since our graduates go into a number of fields. My hope for them is that they continue to build upon what they learned in our program and apply it to new situations and contexts outside of school. I often tell students that editing, writing, and media aren't skills you master and then apply universally across contexts. Instead, we encourage students to keep growing and stretching themselves, since they will most likely face new genres, audiences, and contexts that they didn't see in college. Therefore, we teach them to be flexible, to be close readers, and analyze each rhetorical situation to determine how to best communicate within that context. Good writing isn't one-size-fits-all. Instead, it's a complex, negotiated relationship between writers, texts, contexts, audiences, media, modalities, etc.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Event Producers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Michael Neal Ph.D.: You can get specific, detailed, current information from the career center at FSU, but when I checked a little over a year ago, Editing, Writing, and Media students do well in the job market, some of the best numbers in the college. Our graduates go into many writing- and communication-related fields. A number of them enter law school each year. The salaries for entry-level positions coming out of the humanities tend to be slightly lower than other fields, such as business, but over the course of their careers, they make up for that slightly lower start. In addition to salaries, I also focus on the quality of work-life and professional satisfaction. Students with degrees in Editing, Writing, and Media have the ability to enter many different fields and apply the soft skills they've learned (e.g., critical thinking, project management, communication, design) in various contexts. I keep in touch with many graduates, and I'm continually impressed by the range and quality of their professional opportunities.
What general advice would you give to an Event Producer?
Johnathan Paul: 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.