Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals earn $24,860 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 71.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earns $101,310 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$35,990 – $101,310
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$101,310
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,990 | $25,600 | +$10,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,610 | $29,140 | +$16,470 |
| Median (50th) | $59,440 | $34,580 | +$24,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,150 | $37,850 | +$39,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,310 | $47,930 | +$53,380 |
| Mean (Average) | $65,090 | $37,150 | +$27,940 |
Employment Numbers
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
134,670
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners or Retail Salespersons?
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,860 (71.9% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 134,670 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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