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The differences between senior event managers 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 senior event manager and an event planner. Additionally, a senior event manager has an average salary of $91,373, which is higher than the $51,542 average annual salary of an event planner.
The top three skills for a senior event manager include digital marketing, customer service and event management. The most important skills for an event planner are customer service, vendor contracts, and plan events.
| Senior Event Manager | Event Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $91,373 | $51,542 |
| Hourly rate | $43.93 | $24.78 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 8,855 | 19,793 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A senior event manager's role is to spearhead different events, focusing on its planning and execution to ensure that everything runs smoothly in adherence to the goals and budgets. Their responsibilities typically revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their needs and preferences, managing the workforce, and coordinating with suppliers, caterers, photographers, designers, and other external agencies. They must also update clients regularly, monitor the progress of all procedures, and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, they must lead and encourage the workforce to meet goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Senior event managers and event planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Event Manager | Event Planner | |
| Average salary | $91,373 | $51,542 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $136,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | National Governors Association | Intelliswift |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior event manager and an event planner in terms of educational background:
| Senior Event Manager | Event Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between senior event managers' and event planners' demographics:
| Senior Event Manager | Event Planner | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% | Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 Percentage | 16% | 16% |