Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in Columbia, SC
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $47,830 a year ($23.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,430 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $61,160. Pay here is 8% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $51,830. There are 0.46 meeting, convention, and event planners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $50,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meeting, convention, and event planners in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,420 | $15.11 |
| 25th percentile | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Median | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| 75th percentile | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Average (mean) | $50,850 | $24.45 |
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 | $3,985.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,992.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,839.62 |
| Weekly | $919.81 |
| Hourly | $23.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,420 | 1,220 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,190 | 110 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $53,990 | 350 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $51,890 | 190 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $49,990 | 50 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,470 | 90 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $45,810 | 60 |
| Florence, SC | $42,940 | 30 |
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 or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Cost Estimator | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Logistician | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Fundraiser | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $71,620 | $34.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for meeting, convention, and event planners in the Columbia, SC metro area is $47,830 a year, or $23.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meeting, convention, and event planners make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of meeting, convention, and event planners in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $78,430 a year. The top 25% earn $59,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for meeting, convention, and event planners in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,420 a year, and a quarter of meeting, convention, and event planners earn $35,950 or less.
How many meeting, convention, and event planners work in Columbia, SC?
About 180 meeting, convention, and event planners are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.