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The average salary for a Special Events Driver is approximately $32,352 annually, or about $16 per hour. This figure varies significantly based on geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities. For instance, entry-level drivers may start around $15.55 per hour, while those with extensive experience can earn considerably more.
Drivers in metropolitan areas often see higher wages due to demand and cost of living differences. Notably, cities like New York and Los Angeles offer some of the highest salaries for this role. Additionally, understanding local market conditions can help you negotiate better pay.
Experience plays a crucial role in salary levels. As drivers gain experience, they often move into higher-paying positions or take on additional responsibilities that can lead to increased earnings. Furthermore, certifications and specialized training can enhance job prospects and pay potential.
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The average special events driver salary in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special events driver salary states are Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $43,528 | $20.93 |
| 2 | California | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $38,919 | $18.71 |
| 4 | Utah | $37,535 | $18.05 |
| 5 | Alaska | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $33,641 | $16.17 |
| 7 | Oregon | $38,397 | $18.46 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $36,695 | $17.64 |
| 9 | New York | $36,457 | $17.53 |
| 10 | Vermont | $36,288 | $17.45 |
| 11 | Michigan | $34,443 | $16.56 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $34,254 | $16.47 |
| 13 | Illinois | $35,042 | $16.85 |
| 14 | Idaho | $34,925 | $16.79 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| 16 | Ohio | $31,933 | $15.35 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $35,732 | $17.18 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $43,982 | $21.15 |
| 19 | Indiana | $32,314 | $15.54 |
| 20 | Kansas | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| 21 | Nevada | $34,296 | $16.49 |
| 22 | Montana | $35,194 | $16.92 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $33,987 | $16.34 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $36,957 | $17.77 |
| 26 | Maryland | $34,501 | $16.59 |
| 27 | Virginia | $33,863 | $16.28 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $30,241 | $14.54 |
| 29 | Colorado | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $35,728 | $17.18 |
| 31 | Arizona | $32,259 | $15.51 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $29,231 | $14.05 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $36,978 | $17.78 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $27,504 | $13.22 |
| 35 | Missouri | $28,886 | $13.89 |
| 36 | Delaware | $29,666 | $14.26 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $27,586 | $13.26 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $28,461 | $13.68 |
| 39 | Iowa | $26,154 | $12.57 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $28,608 | $13.75 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $26,657 | $12.82 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $25,812 | $12.41 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $27,335 | $13.14 |
| 44 | Maine | $28,402 | $13.65 |
| 45 | Texas | $27,488 | $13.22 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $24,675 | $11.86 |
| 47 | Alabama | $24,867 | $11.96 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $20,102 | $9.66 |
| 49 | Georgia | $26,348 | $12.67 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $25,112 | $12.07 |
| 51 | Florida | $23,492 | $11.29 |
The highest-paying cities for special events drivers are Everett, WA, Novato, CA, and Ogden, UT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everett, WA | $43,801 | $21.06 |
| 2 | Novato, CA | $40,559 | $19.50 |
| 3 | Ogden, UT | $37,813 | $18.18 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $37,027 | $17.80 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $36,992 | $17.78 |
| 6 | Saint Paul, MN | $36,647 | $17.62 |
| 7 | Fort Collins, CO | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 8 | Reno, NV | $35,911 | $17.26 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $35,228 | $16.94 |
| 10 | Allentown, PA | $34,327 | $16.50 |
| 11 | Gary, IN | $33,639 | $16.17 |
| 12 | Suffolk, VA | $32,743 | $15.74 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $32,329 | $15.54 |
| 14 | Lenexa, KS | $31,136 | $14.97 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $29,226 | $14.05 |
| 16 | Appleton, WI | $29,132 | $14.01 |
| 17 | Lafayette, LA | $27,737 | $13.34 |
| 18 | Fort Worth, TX | $27,411 | $13.18 |
| 19 | Charlotte, NC | $26,832 | $12.90 |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | $26,487 | $12.73 |
A special events driver's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $32,352 | $2,696 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
The highest paying types of special events drivers are delivery specialist, cdl driver, and haul truck driver.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tow Truck Driver | $38,555 | $3,213 | $18.54 | 666,918 |
| Driver | $34,771 | $2,898 | $16.72 | 1,017,998 |
| CDL Driver | $63,112 | $5,259 | $30.34 | 784,044 |
| CDL Class A Driver | $52,203 | $4,350 | $25.10 | 696,903 |
| Route Driver | $45,492 | $3,791 | $21.87 | 266,899 |
| Truck Driver | $60,326 | $5,027 | $29.00 | 827,858 |
Top companies hiring special events drivers now:
Special events driver salaries at PepsiCo and Hyatt Hotels are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special events driver salary at companies like Legends Hospitality and Bruce Transportation Group are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PepsiCo | $43,173 | $20.76 |
| 2 | Hyatt Hotels | $39,784 | $19.13 |
| 3 | Legends Hospitality | $38,235 | $18.38 |
| 4 | Bruce Transportation Group | $38,102 | $18.32 |
| 5 | Anheuser-Busch | $38,083 | $18.31 |
| 6 | Waste Management | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| 7 | Johnson Central High School | $36,537 | $17.57 |
| 8 | Waste Pro | $35,961 | $17.29 |
| 9 | Live Nation Entertainment | $35,885 | $17.25 |
| 10 | MV Transportation | $35,746 | $17.19 |
| 11 | BIX Produce | $34,031 | $16.36 |
| 12 | Schneider | $33,992 | $16.34 |
| 13 | CORT | $33,735 | $16.22 |
| 14 | LAZ Parking | $33,321 | $16.02 |
| 15 | Sodexo Management, Inc. | $32,983 | $15.86 |
| 16 | Elizabeth Companies | $32,974 | $15.85 |
| 17 | United Site Services | $32,225 | $15.49 |
| 18 | Propark Mobility | $31,867 | $15.32 |
| 19 | Adecco | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| 20 | Southeastern Community College | $31,142 | $14.97 |
The average special events driver salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $35,758 | $17.19 |
| 2 | Retail | $33,390 | $16.05 |
| 3 | Professional | $32,838 | $15.79 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $27,581 | $13.26 |
The average special events driver salary has risen by $6,959 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special events driver earned $25,393 annually, but today, they earn $32,352 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for special events drivers over the last decade.
Compare special events driver salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare special events driver salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,400 | $15.55 | +6.3% |
| 2024 | $30,300 | $14.58 | +5.5% |
| 2023 | $28,600 | $13.77 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $27,500 | $13.20 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $26,700 | $12.84 | +2.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Transit | Special Events Driver | Syracuse, NY | 06/27/2025 | $62,610 |
| First Student Inc. | Special Events Driver | Syracuse, NY | 06/26/2025 | $62,610 |
| Quest Events LLC | Event Installer/Driver | Las Vegas, NV | 06/20/2025 | $39,653 |
| Quest Events LLC | Event Installer/Driver | Miami, FL | 06/20/2025 | $36,523 |
| Quest Events LLC | Event Installer/Driver | Dallas, TX | 06/20/2025 | $35,479 |
| Quest Events LLC | Event Installer/Driver | Nashville, TN | 06/20/2025 | $35,479 |
| House of Rental and Sales | Event and Party Drivers | Skokie, IL | 06/15/2025 | $41,740 |
| United Rentals | Events Driver-ROS | South Plainfield, NJ | 06/10/2025 | $45,079 |
| N A | Events Driver-ROS | Plainfield, NJ | 06/10/2025 | $45,079 |
| First Transit | Special Events Driver | Syracuse, NY | 05/24/2025 | $62,610 |
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