What Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners this way: "Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions"; "Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise"; "Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details"; "Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment"; "Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 172,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 182,100 in 2035, an increase of 10,000 jobs (+5.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 16,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 10.1% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $61,160, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $71,048 in California to $75,245 in New Jersey, a gap of $4,197 (1.06 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $61,160 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 19,300, which is 45.7% of the 42,200 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 11,590.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($75,245), New York ($74,994) and California ($71,048) lead the ranking, while California ($71,048) and New York ($74,994) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $29,710. The smallest margin is $16,176 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 39.1% and 54.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-1000) include Management Analysts, Project Management Specialists, Labor Relations Specialists and Logisticians.
Frequently asked questions about Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
What is the national median wage for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $61,160. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $71,048 to $75,245.
Which state pays Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $75,245. New York is next at $74,994.
What is the job outlook for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 16,800 openings a year.
What education do Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $29,710 on a median wage of $78,610.