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Special events planner vs coordinator

The differences between special events planners and coordinators 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 planner, becoming a coordinator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a special events planner has an average salary of $50,325, which is higher than the $41,599 average annual salary of a coordinator.

The top three skills for a special events planner include national security, event planning and event coordination. The most important skills for a coordinator are customer service, patients, and excellent organizational.

Special events planner vs coordinator overview

Special Events PlannerCoordinator
Yearly salary$50,325$41,599
Hourly rate$24.19$20.00
Growth rate18%12%
Number of jobs28,688151,508
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age3843
Years of experience212

Special events planner vs coordinator salary

Special events planners and coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Events PlannerCoordinator
Average salary$50,325$41,599
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $84,000Between $27,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between special events planner and coordinator education

There are a few differences between a special events planner and a coordinator in terms of educational background:

Special Events PlannerCoordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Southern California

Special events planner vs coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between special events planners' and coordinators' demographics:

Special Events PlannerCoordinator
Average age3843
Gender ratioMale, 23.6% Female, 76.4%Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage16%11%

Differences between special events planner and coordinator duties and responsibilities

Special events planner example responsibilities.

  • Select and manage live entertainment for VIP parties, special events and weekend entertainment.
  • Maintain business website and manage Facebook account.
  • Create and present PowerPoint presentations at trades shows and workshops.
  • Orchestrate seamless industry VIP and charity events worldwide involving up to 800 guests and budgets of up to $12K.
  • Develop agenda and itinerary, organize and procure all speaker biographies and materials and logistics for successful program execution.
  • Assist in the development of sponsorship opportunities, themes, and giveaways.
  • Show more

Coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Conduct kaizen blitz in the machine shop that achieve higher productivity and efficiency gains.
  • Manage documented records of meetings and contact with Pre-K teachers to discuss relevant information concerning children and families.
  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Manage IDT roster and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
  • Provide leadership development opportunities for youth and lead community events and activities for the community.
  • Facilitate development of veterans individual rehabilitation plans, which provide purpose, organization and empowerment to achieve life goals.
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Special events planner vs coordinator skills

Common special events planner skills
  • National Security, 21%
  • Event Planning, 7%
  • Event Coordination, 7%
  • Event Management, 6%
  • Event Logistics, 5%
  • Event Budgets, 4%
Common coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Excellent Organizational, 7%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Excellent Guest, 5%
  • Coordinators, 4%

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