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Planner vs event planner

The differences between planners and event planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a planner and an event planner. Additionally, a planner has an average salary of $63,161, which is higher than the $51,542 average annual salary of an event planner.

The top three skills for a planner include customer service, exceptional client and logistics. The most important skills for an event planner are customer service, vendor contracts, and plan events.

Planner vs event planner overview

PlannerEvent Planner
Yearly salary$63,161$51,542
Hourly rate$30.37$24.78
Growth rate4%18%
Number of jobs15,26919,793
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4238
Years of experience22

What does a planner do?

As the name entails, planners assist in creating a broad vision for a community. They conduct research, design, and advanced programs. Some of them focus on a few roles, such as planning transportation, while some will most likely work at different planning types throughout their profession. They develop a plan through data analysis, determine the project's goals or the community, and form a specific vision. They also identify the strategies to help the city realized its goals and vision.

What does an event planner do?

An event planner is responsible for organizing events, following the clients' needs, instructions, and budget goals. Event planners must be highly communicative to coordinate and negotiate contracts with suppliers, third-party vendors, and venue rentals. They finalize the guest list, catering services, and assist with marketing materials to promote the event. An event planner should also have a broad knowledge of the current market industry trends, which plays a vital role in planning and organizing future event opportunities.

Planner vs event planner salary

Planners and event planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

PlannerEvent Planner
Average salary$63,161$51,542
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $88,000Between $35,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAStamford, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyMetaIntelliswift
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between planner and event planner education

There are a few differences between a planner and an event planner in terms of educational background:

PlannerEvent Planner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSan Diego State University

Planner vs event planner demographics

Here are the differences between planners' and event planners' demographics:

PlannerEvent Planner
Average age4238
Gender ratioMale, 54.4% Female, 45.6%Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%16%

Differences between planner and event planner duties and responsibilities

Planner example responsibilities.

  • Develop and managing the database for CDBG applicants.
  • Key role in managing and planning projects from sketch to approve plans.
  • Manage creation of replenishment loads (purchase or DRP) that are optimize to minimize logistical costs.
  • Assist with forecasting machines, accessories, and coffee with various departments in order to achieve monthly KPI's.
  • Develop and manage all types of inventory from finish goods, WIP (work in process) to raw material.
  • Manage RFQ process - gather quotations, examine bids with engineering and management, negotiate prices with suppliers and make awards.
  • Show more

Event planner example responsibilities.

  • Manage client RFP s, develop detailed proposals & client pitches.
  • Produce, implement, and manage sales lead forms and online surveys to determine overall ROI.
  • Manage VIP & bottle service, sell tickets, hire promoters, promotional models, disc jockeys & staff for venues.
  • Manage and ship all marketing and advertising kits and giveaways for career fairs, on-campus presentations, final rounds and orientations.
  • Coordinate and host successful client seminars, creating invitations and promotional materials, booking venues, and selecting guest speakers.
  • Coordinate travel arrangements, including booking airfare, hotel and transportation.
  • Show more

Planner vs event planner skills

Common planner skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Exceptional Client, 8%
  • Logistics, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
Common event planner skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Vendor Contracts, 12%
  • Plan Events, 8%
  • Event Management, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Event Logistics, 3%

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