Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in California
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in California earn a median of $71,120 a year ($34.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,310 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $61,160. California ranks 7th of 50 states for meeting, convention, and event planners pay. There are 1.1 meeting, convention, and event planners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meeting, convention, and event planners in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| 25th percentile | $56,360 | $27.10 |
| Median | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| 75th percentile | $87,240 | $41.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,310 | $58.32 |
| Average (mean) | $77,160 | $37.10 |
Half of meeting, convention, and event planners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,963.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,735.38 |
| Weekly | $1,367.69 |
| Hourly | $34.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,560 | 1,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,120 | 3,490 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $71,100 | 330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $70,710 | 910 |
| Napa, CA | $68,940 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,850 | 7,300 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67,550 | 110 |
| Merced, CA | $67,350 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $66,060 | 2,430 |
| Salinas, CA | $65,460 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,470 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,850 | 1,090 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $63,760 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $63,710 | 270 |
| Fresno, CA | $61,190 | 320 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,260 | 390 |
| Vallejo, CA | $60,100 | 80 |
| Chico, CA | $59,190 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $58,520 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $58,220 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,870 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for meeting, convention, and event planners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,970 |
| Massachusetts | $75,740 |
| New York | $74,730 |
| Hawaii | $74,460 |
| Vermont | $74,310 |
| New Jersey | $72,780 |
| California | $71,120 |
| Connecticut | $70,010 |
| Washington | $65,530 |
| Maryland | $63,280 |
See Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Fundraiser | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1121. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meeting, convention, and event planners make in California?
The median salary for meeting, convention, and event planners in California is $71,120 a year, or $34.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meeting, convention, and event planners make in California?
The top 10% of meeting, convention, and event planners in California earn at least $121,310 a year. The top 25% earn $87,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for meeting, convention, and event planners in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,850 a year, and a quarter of meeting, convention, and event planners earn $56,360 or less.
How many meeting, convention, and event planners work in California?
About 20,650 meeting, convention, and event planners are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.