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The differences between special events coordinators and managers of special events can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a special events coordinator, becoming a manager of special events takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a manager of special events has an average salary of $56,716, 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 manager of special events are customer service, event planning, and event management.
| Special Events Coordinator | Manager Of Special Events | |
| Yearly salary | $40,063 | $56,716 |
| Hourly rate | $19.26 | $27.27 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 34,538 | 15,818 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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 manager of special events is responsible for organizing events and programs for a company and various organizations. Managers of special events monitor the event procedures from conceptualization to the actual execution. They analyze the event purpose, manage participants' list, coordinate with suppliers for resources, allocate budget accurately, and ensure that the program outlines and agendas are polished on time. A manager of special events must have excellent communication and organizational skills to deliver a successful event and resolve complications as they arise.
Special events coordinators and managers of special events have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Events Coordinator | Manager Of Special Events | |
| Average salary | $40,063 | $56,716 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $60,000 | Between $31,000 And $101,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | ESPN |
| Best paying industry | Education | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a special events coordinator and a manager of special events in terms of educational background:
| Special Events Coordinator | Manager Of Special Events | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between special events coordinators' and managers of special events' demographics:
| Special Events Coordinator | Manager Of Special Events | |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% |
| 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, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |