Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$71,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.19
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $61,160
State Rank
#7 of 50
20,650 employed here

How much do Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners make in California?

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners working in California earn a median salary of $71,120 per year, or about $34.19 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $61,160 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $44,850 while the top 10% make $121,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,360 and $87,240 a year.

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,850$21.56
25th percentile (early career)$56,360$27.10
50th percentile (median)$71,120$34.19
75th percentile (experienced)$87,240$41.94
90th percentile (top earners)$121,310$58.32

How California compares

California ranks 7th out of 50 states and territories for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$76,970
2Massachusetts$75,740
3New York$74,730
4Hawaii$74,460
5Vermont$74,310

Working as Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in California

Nationally, about 143,000 people work as Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($71,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners make in California?
The median Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in California is $71,120 per year, or about $34.19 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,850 at the entry level to $121,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners about 16% more than the national median of $61,160. California ranks 7th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,120 a year. About 20,650 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.