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The differences between senior event managers 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 a senior event manager and a special events coordinator. Additionally, a senior event manager has an average salary of $91,373, which is higher than the $40,063 average annual salary of a special events coordinator.
The top three skills for a senior event manager include digital marketing, customer service and event management. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.
| Senior Event Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $91,373 | $40,063 |
| Hourly rate | $43.93 | $19.26 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 8,855 | 34,538 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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.
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.
Senior event managers and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Event Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $91,373 | $40,063 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $136,000 | Between $26,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | National Governors Association | Smithsonian Institution |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Education |
There are a few differences between a senior event manager and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Event Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | 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 senior event managers' and special events coordinators' demographics:
| Senior Event Manager | Special Events Coordinator | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% |
| 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, 11.3% 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% |