Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in Ames, IA
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $47,980 a year ($23.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,340 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $61,160. Pay here is 7% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $51,750. There are 1.8 meeting, convention, and event planners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meeting, convention, and event planners in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| 25th percentile | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Median | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| 75th percentile | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,340 | $35.26 |
| Average (mean) | $53,460 | $25.70 |
Half of meeting, convention, and event planners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,999.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,845.38 |
| Weekly | $922.69 |
| Hourly | $23.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $60,410 | 370 |
| Dubuque, IA | $54,150 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $53,760 | 280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,660 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $49,140 | 90 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,030 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for meeting, convention, and event planners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,970 |
| Massachusetts | $75,740 |
| New York | $74,730 |
| Hawaii | $74,460 |
| Vermont | $74,310 |
| New Jersey | $72,780 |
| California | $71,120 |
| Connecticut | $70,010 |
| Washington | $65,530 |
| Maryland | $63,280 |
See Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Fundraiser | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Logistician | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1121. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meeting, convention, and event planners make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for meeting, convention, and event planners in the Ames, IA metro area is $47,980 a year, or $23.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meeting, convention, and event planners make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of meeting, convention, and event planners in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $73,340 a year. The top 25% earn $63,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for meeting, convention, and event planners in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,700 a year, and a quarter of meeting, convention, and event planners earn $43,910 or less.
How many meeting, convention, and event planners work in Ames, IA?
About 100 meeting, convention, and event planners are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.