The wedding planners salary will vary quite a bit depending on location and whether or not you are self-employed or working for an event planning company, for example.
So to give you a better idea of how much wedding planners earn, let’s look at both self-employed planners as well as those working for one of many wedding services businesses.
Self-Employed Wedding Planners Salary
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 6% of all planners are self-employed.
Here are some interesting facts you should know:
> There are more than 500,000 businesses that market wedding planning services in the U.S.
> The self-employed average between 20 and 42 weddings per year. The average income is around $142,000
> A small wedding planner business with a staff averages about 77 weddings per year. The average income in this scenario varies quite a bit depending on the size of the wedding and location. However, the average wedding planners salary in this scenario ranges anywhere from $27,000-$75,000 per year.
You’re mostly likely to earn more working in New York City than you would in Little Rock, AK, for example, due to the fact that the cost of living is higher in NYC than in Little Rock.
States With The Most Employed Wedding Planners
California - $51,000
New York – $55,000
Texas – $45,000
Illinois – $50,000
Florida - $45,000
The Highest Paying States On Average
> District of Columbia – $61,000
> New Jersey – $56,000
> Massachusetts – $56,000
> New York - $55,000
> Hawaii – $54,000
Who Hires Wedding Planners?
There are several different kinds of businesses that employ wedding coordinators. If you want to start your own wedding planning service one day., working for one of these companies will give you great experience in all aspects of wedding and event planning. You can use your employment to build relationships with vendors and future clients.
Here is a list of businesses that regularly employ wedding planners.
> Resorts like Disney World and Universal Studios
> Las Vegas Casinos
> Hotels
> Churches
Plus there are many different vendors who offer wedding planning services as an extra service. They include:
> Caterers
> Wedding product suppliers
> High end department stores
> Florists
> Event planning companies
The salaries in these scenarios typically fall within the average for the area in which they are located. In the case of department stores and vendors, the salaries may be a little lower. But with the added benefits of health care, bonuses, vacation and retirement plans, it balances out pretty nicely.
Also, the actual position title may vary from one company to the next, but the duties and responsibilities will be pretty much the same.
The key to making a good wedding planner salary is being well-trained. Enroll in a wedding planner course, and learn how the business works. It’s not just about picking out beautiful flowers for the bride.
Do your research, and take the time to prepare yourself for an exciting career you’ll enjoy for many years to come.
Any wedding planner’s salary will increase significantly with great training and work experience. Before you know it, you’ll be in a successful business of your own!