Hospitality & Tourism Hilo, HI Pop. 45,703

Event Planner Salary in Hilo, Hawaii

The median event planner salary in Hilo, HI is $86,518 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 10.6% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$86,518
vs State Avg
$-10,246
vs National
+$29,598
Cost of Living
152%

Event Planner Pay in Hilo: What to Expect (2026)

Hilo offers a median event planner salary of $86,518, which is $10,246 below the Hawaii state average of $96,764. Compared to the national median of $56,920, Hilo pays above average for this role.

However, Hilo's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $86,518 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $56,920. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Hilo should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for event planners in Hilo spans from $48,640 at the 10th percentile to $155,040 at the 90th percentile — a $106,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,200, while senior event planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $144,400. Hilo is a smaller market (pop. 45,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Event Planner Salary in Hilo by Experience

In Hilo, an entry-level event planner earns around $53,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $144,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,200
+$18,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$88,160
+$30,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$144,400
+$49,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hilo, HI

Percentile Hilo
10th Percentile $48,640
25th Percentile $63,840
Median (50th) $86,518
75th Percentile $118,560
90th Percentile $155,040

Event Planner Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

Honolulu, HI
$99,610
Pop. 350,964
Kailua, HI
$96,764
Pop. 38,635
Pearl City, HI
$95,626
Pop. 47,698
Waipahu, HI
$92,210
Pop. 38,216

How to Become a Event Planner in Hilo

Education

Most event planner positions require a bachelor's degree. Hilo and the surrounding Hawaii area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Event CoordinationVendor ManagementBudgetingNegotiationLogisticsCustomer Service

Job Outlook

Nationally, event planner employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Hilo may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Event Planner Jobs in Hilo

Browse open event planner positions in Hilo, HI:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Event Planner Salary in Hilo

How much does a Event Planner make in Hilo, HI? ▼
The median event planner salary in Hilo, Hawaii is $86,518 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $56,920. Salaries range from $48,640 (10th percentile) to $155,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Event Planner make per hour in Hilo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $86,518, a event planner in Hilo earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hilo compare to the Hawaii state average for event planner pay? ▼
Hilo's median event planner salary of $86,518 is 10.6% below the Hawaii state average of $96,764. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI? ▼
Hilo has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a event planner salary of $86,518 in Hilo has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a event planner in Hilo? ▼
Most event planner positions in Hilo require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Event Coordination, Vendor Management, Budgeting, Negotiation. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.