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The differences between event specialists 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 specialist and a special events coordinator. Additionally, an event specialist has an average salary of $41,294, which is higher than the $40,063 average annual salary of a special events coordinator.
The top three skills for an event specialist include brand awareness, product preparation and product demonstrations. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.
| Event Specialist | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $41,294 | $40,063 |
| Hourly rate | $19.85 | $19.26 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 12,130 | 34,538 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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 specialists and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Specialist | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $41,294 | $40,063 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $63,000 | Between $26,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | Smithsonian Institution |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between an event specialist and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Event Specialist | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | 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 specialists' and special events coordinators' demographics:
| Event Specialist | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |