As of September 01, 2026, the average annual salary for sports event manager in the US is $118,518, equivalent to $57 per hour, $2,279 weekly, or $9,877 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for sports event manager in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for sports event manager in the US vary widely, spanning from $105,054 to $152,675. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($111,470) and 75th percentile ($136,397), while top earners (90th percentile) make $152,675 per year. This $24,927 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Cost Control, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia sports event manager often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 50 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
sports event manager Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile sports event manager Salary $105,054 US September 01, 2026
25th Percentile sports event manager Salary $111,470 US September 01, 2026
50th Percentile sports event manager Salary $118,518 US September 01, 2026
75th Percentile sports event manager Salary $136,397 US September 01, 2026
90th Percentile sports event manager Salary $152,675 US September 01, 2026
25% $111,470 10% $105,054 90% $152,675 75% $136,397 $118,518 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out sports event manager jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Event Specialist

Nexxaworks - Columbus, OH

Event Marketer

Leaf Home - Columbus, OH

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What is a sports event manager ?

A sports event manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing various sporting events, ensuring they run smoothly and successfully. Key responsibilities include coordinating logistics, managing budgets, securing venues, and liaising with vendors and sponsors. The role also involves overseeing marketing efforts, ticket sales, and event promotion to maximize attendance and engagement. Salaries for sports event managers can vary widely based on factors such as experience, location, and the scale of events managed. On average, salaries range from $40,000 to $80,000 annually, with...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

See user submitted job responsibilities for sports event manager.

Job Openings for sports event manager

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Meeting/Event Supervisor

    3 - 5 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    sports event manager

    5 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Meeting/Event Senior Manager


    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a sports event manager, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
111470
136397
118518

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
129262
166451
147240
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of sports event manager in the United States. The base salary for sports event manager ranges from $111,470 to $136,397 with the average base salary of $118,518. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $129,262 to $166,451 with the average total cash compensation of $147,240.

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111470
136397

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to sports event manager : Special Event Manager, Meeting And Events Manager, Meeting And Event Manager