Special events planner vs event specialist

The differences between special events planners and event specialists 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 planner and an event specialist. Additionally, a special events planner has an average salary of $50,325, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.

The top three skills for a special events planner include national security, event planning and event coordination. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.

Special events planner vs event specialist overview

	Special Events Planner	Event Specialist
Yearly salary	$50,325	$41,294
Hourly rate	$24.19	$19.85
Growth rate	18%	18%
Number of jobs	28,688	12,130
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Special events planner vs event specialist salary

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

	Special Events Planner	Event Specialist
Average salary	$50,325	$41,294
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $84,000	Between $26,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Shearman & Sterling
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between special events planner and event specialist education

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

	Special Events Planner	Event Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Special events planner vs event specialist demographics

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

	Special Events Planner	Event Specialist
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%	Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratio	Black 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between special events planner and event specialist 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.

Event specialist example responsibilities.

Manage three key concierge brands with a high level of guest service and VIP attention.
Manage RSVP lists, checked-in attendees at events, and insure guest satisfaction at all times.
Build client pipeline by using SEO, Linkedin, Mattermarks, Angel.CO.
Establish streamline budget management process, enabling overall department to effectively tracking spending trend and ROI.
Post to Facebook and other media regarding up-coming event and/or event outcome.
Promote upcoming events and shows through marketing materials, emails and twitter.

Special events planner vs event specialist 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 event specialist skills

Brand Awareness, 51%
Product Preparation, 14%
Product Demonstrations, 5%
Food Preparation, 4%
Food Safety, 4%
Product Knowledge, 3%

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Special Events Planner
Special Events Planner vs Event Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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