How to become meeting, convention, and event plannerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Management & Consulting Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$61,160

25th–75th pct. $46,970–$78,790

Top pay (est.)

$132,200

Top 10% $101,700

Pay in 5 years

$71,300est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$83,200est.

$71,600–$96,600

Outlook score

66/100

★★★☆☆ Good

AI replacement risk

45%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.8%

17K openings / yr

How to become meeting, convention, and event planners

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Key skills

Coordination

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Speaking

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

Critical Thinking

3.9

Service Orientation

3.9

Social Perceptiveness

3.8

Time Management

3.8

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

5.1

English Language

4.7

Administrative

4.1

Computers and Electronics

4.0

Communications and Media

3.5

Sales and Marketing

3.4

Public Safety and Security

3.3

Administration and Management

3.3

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicScheduling Work and ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesGetting Information

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivitySpeech Recognition

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

41%

High school diploma

Associate's degree

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

13%

2–4 years

11%

6–12 months

10%

1–3 months

10%

1–2 years

4–10 years

3–6 months

Related work experience

1–2 years

52%

4–6 years

16%

2–4 years

14%

6–8 years

6–12 months

8–10 years

Over 10 years

None

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as meeting, convention, and event planners

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	General and Operations Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations.	$105,770	62/100	54%
2	Business Operations Specialists, All Other All business operations specialists not listed separately.	$83,050	65/100	30%
3	Project Management Specialists Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis.	$102,320	57/100	70%
4	Human Resources Specialists Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization.	$75,940	59/100	61%
5	Management Analysts Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.	$101,860	69/100	66%
6	Financial Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.	$166,570	65/100	65%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.