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 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $74,994 in New York to $75,245 in New Jersey, a gap of $251 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $61,160 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 11,590, which is 50.6% of the 22,900 counted across them. New York follows with 11,310.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($75,245) and New York ($74,994) lead the ranking, while New York ($74,994) and New Jersey ($75,245) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-1000) include Management Analysts, Project Management Specialists, Logisticians and Compliance Officers.
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 $74,994 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.