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The differences between special events coordinators and conference 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 special events coordinator and a conference coordinator. Additionally, a conference coordinator has an average salary of $41,978, which is higher than the $40,063 average annual salary of a special events coordinator.
The top three skills for a special events coordinator include customer service, event planning and press releases. The most important skills for a conference coordinator are conference calls, reservations, and event planning.
| Special Events Coordinator | Conference Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $40,063 | $41,978 |
| Hourly rate | $19.26 | $20.18 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 34,538 | 19,660 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A conference coordinator organizes professional gatherings and meetings according to a client's needs and preferences. There are also instances where they may plan reunions, parties, and other events. Their responsibilities begin at meeting the clients to identify their needs and preferences, including the event's purpose or themes. From there, a conference coordinator develops plans, secures venues and speakers, books caterers and other equipment, prepares and processes requests, and maintains records of all transactions, presenting invoices to the clients. Moreover, a conference coordinator must be proactive and resolve any conflicts or issues should any arise.
Special events coordinators and conference coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Events Coordinator | Conference Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $40,063 | $41,978 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $60,000 | Between $32,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New York |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Education | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a special events coordinator and a conference coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Special Events Coordinator | Conference Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between special events coordinators' and conference coordinators' demographics:
| Special Events Coordinator | Conference Coordinator | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% | Male, 26.5% Female, 73.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |