Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in Illinois
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in Illinois earn a median of $59,840 a year ($28.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,720 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $61,160. Illinois ranks 19th of 50 states for meeting, convention, and event planners pay. There are 0.86 meeting, convention, and event planners per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meeting, convention, and event planners in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 25th percentile | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Median | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| 75th percentile | $79,800 | $38.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,720 | $50.35 |
| Average (mean) | $65,040 | $31.27 |
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 | $4,986.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,493.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,301.54 |
| Weekly | $1,150.77 |
| Hourly | $28.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,640 | 4,230 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,810 | 1,260 |
| Peoria, IL | $52,770 | 130 |
| Bloomington, IL | $50,610 | 70 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,440 | 110 |
| Springfield, IL | $49,260 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $49,140 | 90 |
| Rockford, IL | $44,690 | 80 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Logistician | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Fundraiser | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,180 | $50.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for meeting, convention, and event planners in Illinois is $59,840 a year, or $28.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meeting, convention, and event planners make in Illinois?
The top 10% of meeting, convention, and event planners in Illinois earn at least $104,720 a year. The top 25% earn $79,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for meeting, convention, and event planners in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of meeting, convention, and event planners earn $44,290 or less.
How many meeting, convention, and event planners work in Illinois?
About 5,220 meeting, convention, and event planners are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.