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The differences between senior event managers and event specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a senior event manager has an average salary of $91,373, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.
The top three skills for a senior event manager include digital marketing, customer service and event management. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.
| Senior Event Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $91,373 | $41,294 |
| Hourly rate | $43.93 | $19.85 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 8,855 | 12,130 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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.
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.
Senior event managers and event specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Event Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Average salary | $91,373 | $41,294 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $136,000 | Between $26,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | National Governors Association | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior event manager and an event specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Event Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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 specialists' demographics:
| Senior Event Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% |
| 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, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |