12 of the Best Types of Event Planner Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Event Planner jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Event Planner Jobs

• Senior Event Planner

  Salary range: $73,500 - $104,000

  Senior Event Planner is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Event Planner jobs pay between $73,500 (25th percentile) and $104,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Event Planner job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Virtual Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  The qualifications and skills you need to start working as a virtual event planner include training or equivalent job experience, connections with vendors, and organizational skills. You also need to ability to listen to clients and ensure you meet their needs. A virtual event planner must be adept at communicating online. You can prepare for this career by earning a degree in hospitality or obtaining a postsecondary certificate in event planning. Some planners learn skills by working as an assistant to an event planner. You can also become a Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) through the International Live Events Association.

• Event Planner Coordinator

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  Coordinators plan and schedule events, programs, or projects. In this position, you can work in a variety of industries, so your duties and the necessary qualifications vary by field. There are project coordinators who work in the construction, manufacturing, and development industries, program coordinators, who typically work in education, community outreach, or non-profit organizations, and numerous other positions that require significant coordination experience. For those who work in labor industries, coordination might include developing timetables and budgets for the ordering and delivery of materials or services, while at a school, an instructional coordinator might prepare an afterschool program curriculum.

• Event Planner Internship

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  The qualifications that you need to get an event planner internship vary based on the client and the event type they usually coordinate, such as a wedding or convention. Many event planning internship opportunities are only open a recent graduate or student actively enrolled in a postsecondary program. Relevant degree programs include marketing, public relations, or communications. Other employers prefer candidates with experience in event coordination or hospitality. The responsibilities of an intern are to help prepare and organize an event on behalf of a client or venue.

• Freelance Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  To become a freelance event planner, you need relevant experience gained by working first as an employee of a venue or company to learn the ins and outs of event planning. You can also complete programs hosted by trade schools to help you better understand what to expect from your clients. When looking for your first few clients, you want to start locally and only commit to planning events that you know you can deliver on. Most clients request to see a portfolio of successful events that you’ve helped plan. It’s crucial to market your experience and showcase your skills both online and in-person. As you take on more jobs, you’ll build a network and eventually a strong foundation for freelancing.

• Entry Level Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  The qualifications and skills that you need to work as an entry-level event planner vary from employer to employer. You may choose to pursue a postsecondary certificate in event planning or study for an associate or bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. In general, the larger the conferences or events, the more education you need to earn an entry-level position. You can also gain experience as a member of the staff at an event venue or as an intern with an event planner.

• Temporary Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Union Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Junior Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  Junior Event Planner is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Event Planner jobs pay between $50,000 (25th percentile) and $73,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Event Planner job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Event Planner Trainee

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Full Time Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Independent Contractor Event Planner

  Salary range: $50,000 - $73,500

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.