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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$59,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $61,160
State Rank
#19 of 50
5,220 employed here

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

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in Illinois take home a median of $59,840 annually — roughly $28.77 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $61,160.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $35,810 while the top 10% make $104,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,290 and $79,800 a year.

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,810$17.22
25th percentile (early career)$44,290$21.29
50th percentile (median)$59,840$28.77
75th percentile (experienced)$79,800$38.37
90th percentile (top earners)$104,720$50.35

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 19th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($59,840) 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 Illinois?
The median Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in Illinois is $59,840 per year, or about $28.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,810 at the entry level to $104,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners about 2% less than the national median of $61,160. Illinois ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,840 a year. About 5,220 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.