Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in Iowa
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in Iowa earn a median of $51,750 a year ($24.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,710 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $61,160. Iowa ranks 38th of 50 states for meeting, convention, and event planners pay. There are 0.72 meeting, convention, and event planners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $55,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meeting, convention, and event planners in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| 25th percentile | $43,770 | $21.04 |
| Median | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| 75th percentile | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,710 | $37.84 |
| Average (mean) | $55,340 | $26.61 |
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 | $4,312.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,156.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,990.38 |
| Weekly | $995.19 |
| Hourly | $24.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $60,410 | 370 |
| Dubuque, IA | $54,150 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $53,760 | 280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,660 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $49,140 | 90 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,030 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $47,980 | 100 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Project Management Specialist | $96,540 | $46.41 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Management Analyst | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $72,640 | $34.92 |
| Compliance Officer | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Logistician | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| Fundraiser | $63,930 | $30.74 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $79,140 | $38.05 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for meeting, convention, and event planners in Iowa is $51,750 a year, or $24.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meeting, convention, and event planners make in Iowa?
The top 10% of meeting, convention, and event planners in Iowa earn at least $78,710 a year. The top 25% earn $64,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for meeting, convention, and event planners in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,100 a year, and a quarter of meeting, convention, and event planners earn $43,770 or less.
How many meeting, convention, and event planners work in Iowa?
About 1,120 meeting, convention, and event planners are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.