Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in California
Want to work as a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in California? Here’s what the data says. Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
What do Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Make in California?
The meeting, convention, and event planners working in California, the typical annual salary is $66,990 per year (or roughly $32.21/hour).Earnings range from $41,630 at the 10th percentile to $112,240 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,630 | $20.01 |
| 25th percentile | $52,180 | $25.09 |
| Median (50th) | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| 75th percentile | $82,980 | $39.89 |
| 90th percentile | $112,240 | $53.96 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California relative to the national average — is 1.13, indicating that meeting, convention, and event planners are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, meeting, convention, and event planners earn a median of $64,460 per year ($30.99/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 372,451 meeting, convention, and event planners nationwide. In California alone, about 17,800 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,740 meeting, convention, and event planners.
Top California Metros for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
The largest metro-area employers of meeting, convention, and event planners in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,050 | $66,550 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,130 | $79,070 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,310 | $65,790 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,060 | $60,810 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 830 | $81,120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 780 | $67,740 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 310 | $64,790 |
| Fresno, CA | 270 | $56,650 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 270 | $59,270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 260 | $57,550 |
| Napa, CA | 200 | $67,790 |
| Salinas, CA | 190 | $60,060 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 130 | $58,810 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 130 | $59,540 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 100 | $51,510 |
| Modesto, CA | 100 | $58,740 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 100 | $71,630 |
| Vallejo, CA | 70 | $60,950 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $55,740 |
| Chico, CA | 50 | $55,940 |
| Visalia, CA | 50 | $56,200 |
Top States for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Employment
These states have the highest employment of meeting, convention, and event planners work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 17,800 |
| New York | 11,720 |
| Florida | 9,670 |
| Texas | 9,510 |
| Ohio | 5,030 |
| Colorado | 4,590 |
| Virginia | 4,490 |
| Illinois | 4,470 |
| North Carolina | 4,450 |
| Georgia | 4,370 |
| Massachusetts | 4,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,040 |
| Washington | 3,720 |
| Michigan | 3,640 |
| Arizona | 2,870 |
| Maryland | 2,860 |
| Tennessee | 2,630 |
| Wisconsin | 2,440 |
| District of Columbia | 2,400 |
| New Jersey | 2,360 |
Highest-Paying States for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
These states pay the most for meeting, convention, and event planners.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maine | $127,160 |
| New York | $73,230 |
| Massachusetts | $72,840 |
| District of Columbia | $72,010 |
| Hawaii | $67,660 |
| California | $66,990 |
| Washington | $66,070 |
| New Jersey | $64,730 |
| Connecticut | $64,230 |
| Colorado | $62,290 |
Skills
Top meeting, convention, and event planners skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for meeting, convention, and event planners, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners typically:
- Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
- Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
- Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
- Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
- Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
- Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
- Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
- Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
- Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
- Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.
- Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.
- Hire, train, and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.
Work Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Working with Computers
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Getting Information
- Developing and Building Teams
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Hospitality Management
- Housing
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to meeting, convention, and event planners include:
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
- Logisticians
- Project Management Specialists
- Management Analysts
- Fundraisers
Also Known As
Catering Coordinator, Catering Director, Catering and Convention Services Manager, Certified Meeting Professional, Conference Manager, Conference Organizer, Conference Planner, Conference Planning Manager, Conference Producer, Conference Reservationist, Conference Service Coordinator, Conference Services Director, Conference Services Manager, Convention Manager, Convention Planner.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 13-1121.00
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.