Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $41,310 more per year than Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals — that's 69.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earns $101,310 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$35,990 – $101,310
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$35,990$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,990 | $59,830 | $-23,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,610 | $76,950 | $-31,340 |
| Median (50th) | $59,440 | $100,750 | $-41,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,150 | $131,660 | $-54,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,310 | $165,790 | $-64,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $65,090 | $108,100 | $-43,010 |
Employment Numbers
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
134,670
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $81,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $79,070 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $77,860 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $74,890 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $69,420 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,310 (69.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salaries range from $35,990 (10th percentile) to $101,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,440.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 134,670 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners has a median salary of $59,440 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS