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The differences between special events coordinators and events assistants 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 an events assistant. Additionally, a special events coordinator has an average salary of $40,063, which is higher than the $28,633 average annual salary of an events assistant.
The top three skills for a special events coordinator include customer service, event planning and press releases. The most important skills for an events assistant are customer service, event materials, and event planning.
| Special Events Coordinator | Events Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $40,063 | $28,633 |
| Hourly rate | $19.26 | $13.77 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 34,538 | 5,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
An events assistant is responsible for coordinating an event based on a client's guidelines under the supervision of a head event planner. Events assistants manage event logistics, including negotiating with suppliers and third-party vendors and events place rental. They also ensure that the plans stay within the budget goals, minimizing costs but not compromising the quality of the materials. An events assistant usually updates the client on behalf of the event planner, especially on the updates and adjustments as needed. To be an events assistant requires excellent communication and organizational skills.
Special events coordinators and events assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Events Coordinator | Events Assistant | |
| Average salary | $40,063 | $28,633 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $60,000 | Between $21,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Cambridge, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Maine |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| Best paying industry | Education | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a special events coordinator and an events assistant in terms of educational background:
| Special Events Coordinator | Events Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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 events assistants' demographics:
| Special Events Coordinator | Events Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% | Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |