How do I become an event planner without a degree?

To become an event planner without a degree, you'll need about one to two years of experience to qualify for an entry-level position. While most event planners need a bachelor's degree to get started fresh-out-of-school, prospects could gain the needed experience by applying for volunteer positions.

How much do planners earn?

Planners earn about $57,300 per year, on average. Planners who specialize in an industry or have extensive experience can earn more. Some planners make over $100,000 within the city/urban planning and high-end event planning sphere. Career planners make just under the national average at about $54,400, though room for growth is rampant.

What is a planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Connie Ozawa Ph.D.

A planner assists individuals, organizations, and communities in achieving their goals by creating plans and strategies. Planners analyze data, conduct research, and provide recommendations on topics such as land use, transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. They work with stakeholders to identify needs, prioritize goals, and develop solutions that meet the needs of diverse communities. Planners employ tools and techniques such as GIS mapping, public engagement, and policy analysis to create plans that are effective and sustainable.

What general advice would you give to a Planner?

Connie Ozawa Ph.D.

MUS and PhD Program Coordinator, Portland State University

Think about what impact you want to have on your community, and then be open about what job titles might help you to achieve it. Planning graduates successfully obtain jobs at public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private planning firms at the local, state, regional, and federal level. Treat your first job as your first - you may stay there the rest of your working life, or you may move on after a year. Don't hold out for the "perfect job." With a positive attitude and a spirit of inquiry and discovery, you'll learn through doing the work what excites you and the type of colleagues and organizations that will provide the most fulfilling environment for you.

ScorePlannerUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $63,161

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.1

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.79%

Asian 9.56%

Black or African American 4.86%

Hispanic or Latino 12.71%

Unknown 4.68%

White 67.40%

Gender

female 45.62%

male 54.38%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Planner?

Pros

Variety of projects and clients
Job security and stability
Work with diverse groups of people
Constant learning and professional development
Competitive salary and benefits

Cons

Difficult stakeholders or opposition
Bureaucratic red tape and regulations
Constantly changing project requirements and scope
Limited budgets for projects
Potential for conflict with team members or clients

Key steps to become a planner

Explore planner education requirements

Most common planner degrees

Bachelor's

63.9 %

Associate

14.3 %

Master's

11.6 %

Start to develop specific planner skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	13.03%
Exceptional Client	7.74%
Logistics	7.50%
Project Management	6.48%
Excellent Interpersonal	4.45%

Research planner duties and responsibilities

Develop and managing the database for CDBG applicants.
Key role in managing and planning projects from sketch to approve plans.
Manage creation of replenishment loads (purchase or DRP) that are optimize to minimize logistical costs.
Assist with forecasting machines, accessories, and coffee with various departments in order to achieve monthly KPI's.

Prepare your planner resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your planner resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Planner Resume templates

Build a professional Planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Planner resume.

Apply for planner jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do planners rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Planner reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019

Cons

When you demand change