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Event specialist salary
Average event specialist salary
$41,294
Understanding Event Specialist Salaries
The average salary for an Event Specialist stands at $41,294 annually. This figure reflects a typical hourly wage of about $20. The salary varies significantly across different states, with higher wages often found in metropolitan areas where demand for event planning is robust.
Experience plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level positions might start lower, while specialists with several years of experience can command higher salaries. Additionally, roles in corporate event planning tend to offer better compensation compared to those in non-profit organizations.
For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing certifications in event management or specializing in high-demand areas, such as corporate events, weddings, or large public gatherings, can lead to higher pay. Understanding these salary dynamics can empower job seekers to make informed decisions about their careers.
Salary Insights by State
- California: $50,000
- New York: $48,000
- Texas: $42,000
- Florida: $39,000
These figures illustrate the variation in salaries based on location. As you explore opportunities, consider both salary and the cost of living in your desired area.
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Where can an Event Specialist earn more?
Event specialist salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level event specialist | $35,000 | $16.80 |
| Mid-level event specialist | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| Senior-level event specialist | $50,200 | $24.16 |
Event specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average event specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for event specialists are New York, Maine, and New Jersey. The lowest average event specialist salary states are Kentucky, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for event specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $60,681 | $29.17 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $49,681 | $23.89 |
| 3 | Vermont | $43,054 | $20.70 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $46,575 | $22.39 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $51,624 | $24.82 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $47,343 | $22.76 |
| 7 | Virginia | $46,201 | $22.21 |
| 8 | Maine | $50,468 | $24.26 |
| 9 | Florida | $40,163 | $19.31 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $36,328 | $17.47 |
| 11 | Maryland | $42,501 | $20.43 |
| 12 | Michigan | $37,522 | $18.04 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $40,031 | $19.25 |
| 14 | California | $48,435 | $23.29 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $35,859 | $17.24 |
| 16 | Kansas | $36,996 | $17.79 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| 18 | Alabama | $37,269 | $17.92 |
| 19 | Delaware | $36,559 | $17.58 |
| 20 | Texas | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| 21 | Nevada | $34,129 | $16.41 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $32,855 | $15.80 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $34,656 | $16.66 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $34,607 | $16.64 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $34,346 | $16.51 |
| 26 | Alaska | $34,949 | $16.80 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $36,805 | $17.69 |
| 28 | Georgia | $35,471 | $17.05 |
| 29 | Colorado | $36,494 | $17.55 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $36,954 | $17.77 |
| 31 | Arizona | $33,417 | $16.07 |
| 32 | Washington | $36,427 | $17.51 |
| 33 | Ohio | $33,933 | $16.31 |
| 34 | Indiana | $33,777 | $16.24 |
| 35 | Oregon | $32,387 | $15.57 |
| 36 | Utah | $32,331 | $15.54 |
| 37 | Iowa | $29,502 | $14.18 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $32,283 | $15.52 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $29,985 | $14.42 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $31,776 | $15.28 |
| 41 | Montana | $29,748 | $14.30 |
| 42 | Missouri | $33,132 | $15.93 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $27,445 | $13.19 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $27,537 | $13.24 |
| 45 | Illinois | $32,502 | $15.63 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 47 | Idaho | $27,197 | $13.08 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $28,278 | $13.60 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $25,385 | $12.20 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $30,289 | $14.56 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $26,581 | $12.78 |
Highest paying cities for event specialists
The highest-paying cities for event specialists are New York, NY, Washington, DC, and Portland, ME.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $61,052 | $29.35 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $51,651 | $24.83 |
| 3 | Portland, ME | $51,315 | $24.67 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $49,276 | $23.69 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $47,549 | $22.86 |
| 6 | Quincy, MA | $47,505 | $22.84 |
| 7 | Richmond, VA | $45,778 | $22.01 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $42,741 | $20.55 |
| 9 | Fort Myers, FL | $40,822 | $19.63 |
| 10 | Corpus Christi, TX | $39,296 | $18.89 |
| 11 | Lansing, MI | $37,059 | $17.82 |
| 12 | Providence, RI | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| 13 | Manchester, NH | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $36,542 | $17.57 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $36,518 | $17.56 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $35,275 | $16.96 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $34,867 | $16.76 |
| 19 | Minneapolis, MN | $34,692 | $16.68 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $33,727 | $16.21 |
Event specialist salary details
An event specialist's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an event specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| Average | $41,294 | $3,441 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying event specialist jobs
The highest paying types of event specialists are planning committee member, director of events, and specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planning Committee Member | $81,213 | $6,768 | $39.04 | 15,066 |
| Conference Coordinator | $41,978 | $3,498 | $20.18 | 19,660 |
| Site Coordinator | $38,256 | $3,188 | $18.39 | 29,397 |
| Marketing And Event Planning Internship | $28,412 | $2,368 | $13.66 | 131,730 |
| Meeting Planner | $56,257 | $4,688 | $27.05 | 17,112 |
| Director Of Events | $65,971 | $5,498 | $31.72 | 8,520 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for event specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Rowan University
Top companies hiring event specialists now:
Which companies pay event specialists the most?
Event specialist salaries at Shearman & Sterling and Meta are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average event specialist salary at companies like Venable and CrowdStrike are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shearman & Sterling | $183,249 | $88.10 |
| 2 | Meta | $159,755 | $76.81 |
| 3 | Venable | $135,243 | $65.02 |
| 4 | CrowdStrike | $126,150 | $60.65 |
| 5 | Cradlepoint | $110,412 | $53.08 |
| 6 | 2k | $102,015 | $49.05 |
| 7 | Kern Community College District | $92,475 | $44.46 |
| 8 | Palo Alto Networks | $89,136 | $42.85 |
| 9 | Edward Jones | $86,866 | $41.76 |
| 10 | John Wiley & Sons | $84,862 | $40.80 |
| 11 | Boston Scientific | $77,988 | $37.49 |
| 12 | The Aerospace Corporation | $77,782 | $37.40 |
| 13 | Edwards Lifesciences | $77,479 | $37.25 |
| 14 | Vista Equity Partners | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| 15 | Cummins | $73,009 | $35.10 |
| 16 | GLG | $71,644 | $34.44 |
| 17 | Wellington Management | $71,637 | $34.44 |
| 18 | ON24 | $70,455 | $33.87 |
| 19 | Corning Incorporated | $68,532 | $32.95 |
| 20 | Sony Electronics | $68,182 | $32.78 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Event specialist salary trends
The average event specialist salary has risen by $4,437 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average event specialist earned $36,857 annually, but today, they earn $41,294 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for event specialists over the last decade.
Compare event specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average event specialist salary over time
Compare event specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Event specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,300 | $19.85 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $40,500 | $19.48 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $39,500 | $19.01 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $38,700 | $18.59 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $37,900 | $18.23 | +1.1% |
Recently added event specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wounded Warrior Project | Fundraising Events Specialist | Jacksonville, FL | 06/30/2025 | $62,720 |
| Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati | Events Specialist | Boston, MA | 06/29/2025 | $81,600 |
| Get It-Hospitality | Event Specialist-Remote | WFH | Boston, MA | 06/29/2025 | $60,000 |
| Sitio de Experiencia de Candidatos | Events Specialist MSB | San Diego, CA | 06/29/2025 | $50,610 |
| Marriott International | MSB Events Specialist | Glendale, AZ | 06/28/2025 | $55,932 |
| Northwestern Mutual | Corporate Security Events Specialist | Milwaukee, WI | 06/28/2025 | $48,580 |
| Northeastern State University | N99504 Career Events Specialist | Tahlequah, OK | 06/28/2025 | $34,356 |
| City of Kissimmee, Fl | Events Specialist | Kissimmee, FL | 06/28/2025 | $43,806 |
| Homeworks Energy | Events Specialist | Lynn, MA | 06/28/2025 | $48,001 |
| City of Buckey, Az | Events Specialist-Seasonal | Buckeye, AZ | 06/28/2025 | $41,761 |
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