Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

SOC: 13-1121 O*NET: 13-1121.00
Median Salary
$59,440
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.8%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
15.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.

What does a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners do?

Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$35,990
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,610
25th percentile
Median
$59,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,150
75th percentile
Top Earners
$101,310
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$35,990
25th
$45,610
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,440
Mean: $65,090
75th
$77,150
90th
$101,310
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $65,320 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $45,610 and $77,150
  • Salary spread is 53.1% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 134,670 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:155,800

Top Industries

Other Services (except Public Administration)15.4%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services11.8%
Administrative and Support Services11.8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+4.8%
Annual Openings:15,500

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)155,800
Current
2034 (Projected)163,300
+4.8%
+7,500
Employment Change
+4.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
17,800 jobs$66,9901.13x
New York
11,720 jobs$73,2301.41x
Florida
9,670 jobs$58,8301.13x
Texas
9,510 jobs$56,5000.79x
Ohio
5,030 jobs$50,3901.04x
Colorado
4,590 jobs$62,2901.82x
Virginia
4,490 jobs$60,4801.26x
Illinois
4,470 jobs$59,8600.84x
North Carolina
4,450 jobs$57,1901.04x
Georgia
4,370 jobs$48,4301.03x
Massachusetts
4,100 jobs$72,8401.29x
Pennsylvania
4,040 jobs$55,6900.77x
Washington
3,720 jobs$66,0701.20x
Michigan
3,640 jobs$51,6800.95x
Arizona
2,870 jobs$59,4801.03x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Time Management
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%

Skills Overview

Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Time Management
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Speaking

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Cooks, Private Household82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators82%
5 shared skills
Patient Representatives82%
5 shared skills
Midwives82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
  • Coordination
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Time Management

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe InDesign

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

ESRI ArcGIS software

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Creative Cloud software

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Photoshop

🔥 Hot Tech

Trimble SketchUp Pro

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Project

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Photoshop
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Communication & Coordination (2)Planning & Development (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Management & Supervision (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1

Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Communication & Coordination94% perform
4

Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Planning & Development88% perform
6

Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Communication & Coordination85% perform
7

Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform
10

Conduct post-event evaluations to determine how future events could be improved.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value relationships

EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.90

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.87

Stress Tolerance

Critical

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.79

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.73

Adaptability/Flexibility

Critical

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.71

Self-Control

Critical

Self-Control

Importance Level4.63

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.9
Stress Tolerance
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Social Orientation
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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