Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $54,930 a year ($26.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,170 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $61,160. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $54,990. There are 0.97 meeting, convention, and event planners per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meeting, convention, and event planners in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| 25th percentile | $40,110 | $19.29 |
| Median | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| 75th percentile | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,170 | $44.31 |
| Average (mean) | $59,420 | $28.57 |
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 | $4,577.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,288.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,112.69 |
| Weekly | $1,056.35 |
| Hourly | $26.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $63,710 | 110 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,420 | 1,220 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $57,930 | 190 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,820 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $54,760 | 890 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $53,820 | 600 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $51,170 | 60 |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,060 | 160 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,990 | 270 |
| Asheville, NC | $49,590 | 230 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $49,340 | 60 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $46,800 | 30 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $46,680 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $93,110 | $44.76 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $81,100 | $38.99 |
| Management Analyst | $126,110 | $60.63 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Compliance Officer | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Logistician | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Fundraiser | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,090 | $40.91 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for meeting, convention, and event planners in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $54,930 a year, or $26.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meeting, convention, and event planners make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of meeting, convention, and event planners in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $92,170 a year. The top 25% earn $71,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for meeting, convention, and event planners in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,050 a year, and a quarter of meeting, convention, and event planners earn $40,110 or less.
How many meeting, convention, and event planners work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 340 meeting, convention, and event planners are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.