Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Also called: Catering and Convention Services Manager, Catering Coordinator, Catering Director, Certified Meeting Professional, Conference Manager, Conference Organizer
Median pay
$61,160
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,830 – $101,700
People employed
142,860
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in every state →
What meeting, convention, and event planners do
- 01Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
- 02Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
- 03Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
- 04Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
- 05Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
- 06Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from meeting, convention, and event planners
- Public Relations Specialists88% · +22%
- Fundraising Managers87% · +105%
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants86% · +25%
- Public Relations Managers85% · +140%
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers85% · +43%
Change into meeting, convention, and event planners
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Lodging Managers84% · $69,250
- Talent Directors80% · $90,360
- Media Programming Directors78% · $90,360
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling77% · $79,520
- Public Relations Specialists77% · $74,750
Majors that lead here
- Facilities Planning and Management
- Meeting and Event Planning
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.