Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn $6,410 more per year than Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals — that's 10.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earns $101,310 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$35,990 – $101,310
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$35,990$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,990 | $37,510 | $-1,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,610 | $48,900 | $-3,290 |
| Median (50th) | $59,440 | $65,850 | $-6,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,150 | $91,550 | $-14,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,310 | $120,190 | $-18,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $65,090 | $73,760 | $-8,670 |
Employment Numbers
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
134,670
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $81,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $79,070 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $77,860 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $74,890 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $69,420 |
Best Cities for Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $92,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,330 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners or Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,410 (10.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salaries range from $35,990 (10th percentile) to $101,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,440.
What is the salary range for Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 134,670 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists to Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners has a median salary of $59,440 while Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS