Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
SOC code 13-1121 · O*NET-SOC 13-1121.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Business and finance
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$61,160
a year
Hourly
$29.41
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$66,520
$31.98 per hour
Middle 50%
$46,970 – $78,790
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,830 – $101,700
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
142,860
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,830
- $17.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $46,970
- $22.58/hr
- Median percentile
- $61,160
- $29.41/hr
- 75th percentile
- $78,790
- $37.88/hr
- 90th percentile
- $101,700
- $48.90/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
155,800
jobs in 2024
163,300
projected for 2034
About 7,500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do meeting, convention, and event planners do?
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
- Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
- Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
- Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
- Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
- Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
- Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
- Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 41% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree41%
- Some College Courses37%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree7%
Common questions
How much does a meeting, convention, and event planners earn?
The national median is $61,160 a year. The full range runs from $36,830 at the 10th percentile to $101,700 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a meeting, convention, and event planners without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is meeting, convention, and event planners in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Communications and Media3.7/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- Law and Government3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.