Meeting and Event Planner Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $87,389 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $85,698 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $80,060 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $77,804 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $74,422 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $73,294 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $72,166 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $70,475 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $68,784 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $64,837 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $64,837 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $64,273 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $63,146 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $62,018 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $62,018 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $60,890 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $59,199 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $59,199 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $57,508 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $57,508 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $56,380 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $56,380 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $55,816 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $55,816 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $55,252 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $53,561 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $53,561 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $52,433 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $52,433 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $52,433 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $51,870 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $51,870 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $51,306 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $50,742 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $49,614 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $49,614 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $49,614 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $49,614 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $49,614 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $49,614 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $49,051 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $49,051 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $49,051 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $48,487 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $47,923 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $47,923 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $47,359 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $46,795 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $46,795 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $45,104 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $43,976 | -22.0% | High |
A Meeting and Event Planner's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Meeting and Event Planners typically earn $35,954–$47,408 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $73,179–$83,131 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Meeting and Event Planner role currently has high demand in the job market with a 4.8% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Business sector.
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What is the average salary for a Meeting and Event Planner?The average salary for a Meeting and Event Planner in the United States is $56,380 per year, with a median of $52,560.
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What is the starting salary for a Meeting and Event Planner?Entry-level Meeting and Event Planners typically earn between $35,954 and $47,408 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Meeting and Event Planners the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Meeting and Event Planners the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Meeting and Event Planner make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $56,380, a Meeting and Event Planner earns approximately $27.11 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Meeting and Event Planner a good career in 2026?Yes — the Meeting and Event Planner role has high demand with 4.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.