Conference coordinators often delegate tasks for larger events.
Conferences, conventions and other large events are organized by coordinators who are responsible for taking care of every detail of the event, from creating promotional materials to hiring speakers or lecturers. The salary range for a conference coordinator depends on his level of education and certification, as well as his experience.
Salary
Conference coordinators earned an average salary of $48,060 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary scale began at less than $27,550 annually for coordinators in the 10th percentile and less than $34,770 for those in the 25th percentile. The median salary was $44,780, with coordinators earning more than $58,140 in the 75th percentile and more than $75,160 in the 90th percentile.
Industry
The two largest industries for conference coordinators as of 2009 were travel accommodation and business, professional, labor and political organizations, which the bureau reports offered salary averages of $44,420 and $51,270 respectively. Conference coordinators working for colleges, universities and professional schools earned an average of $46,110, and those employed by local governments earned an average of $45,500. Coordinators working in management consulting services earned an average income of $48,840 a year.
Location
The state with both the highest concentration of conference coordinators and the highest salary average for the profession was the District of Columbia, with a salary average of $55,170, according to the bureau. Connecticut and New York ranked second and third in regard to salary with averages of $55,020 and $54,760 respectively. The highest paying area in the country for conference coordinators was Santa Rosa-Petaluma, California, with a salary average of $67,100, followed by the Worcester area of Massachusetts and Connecticut with an average of $63,600.
Advancement
Although not always required, a bachelor's or master's degree in areas such as business or communications helps conference coordinators advance. Certification is another option; coordinators can pursue the Certified Meeting Professional credential from the Convention Industry Council to increase their marketability. Coordinators can also seek higher salaries in more competitive industries; those working for companies in aerospace product and parts manufacturing earned an average salary of $62,350 as of 2009, while those working for software publishers earned an average of $65,530, according to the bureau.
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