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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Event Planner in California is $65,343 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, an Event Planner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Event Planner Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,200 | $6,017 | $1,388 | $35 |
| Average | $65,343 | $5,445 | $1,257 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,563 | $4,880 | $1,126 | $28 |
Careers Integrated Resources Inc - San Mateo, CA
Sweet Love Designs LLC - San Diego, CA
Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services - Hayward, CA
Flok - San Francisco, CA
An Event Planner's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Event Planner's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Event Pla... Level Event Planner | $64,838 |
| Meeting/E... Level Event Planner | $73,124 |
| Meeting/E... Level Event Planner | $100,482 |
| Meeting/E... Level Event Planner | $123,027 |
| Meeting/E... Level Event Planner | $103,771 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Event Planners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Event Planner roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Event Planner positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Event Planner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $79,718 | $38.0 | 22% |
| Internet | $77,104 | $37.0 | 18% |
| Insurance | $73,184 | $35.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $71,877 | $35.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $70,570 | $34.0 | 8% |
Understanding how an Event Planner's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $72,200 | $6,017 | $1,388 | $35 |
| Average | $65,343 | $5,445 | $1,257 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,563 | $4,880 | $1,126 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Event Planner job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TradeJobsWorkforce
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Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Stanford University | Stanford, CA
A prestigious university in California is seeking an Event Planner for a fixed-term position.The successful candidate will coordinate academic programs, se... more
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Phison blog | San Jose, CA
A leading technology solutions provider in San Jose is seeking a detail-oriented Event Planner to support planning and execution of technology trade shows ... more
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BRENTWOOD, TN
Geodis | BRENTWOOD, TN
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ARS-Rescue Rooter | WEST MIFFLIN, PA
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