Hospitality & Tourism Springfield, IL Pop. 114,394

Event Planner Salary in Springfield, Illinois

The median event planner salary in Springfield, IL is $48,382 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 10.5% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$48,382
vs State Avg
$-5,692
vs National
$-8,538
Cost of Living
85%

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

Springfield offers a median event planner salary of $48,382, which is $5,692 below the Illinois state average of $54,074. Compared to the national median of $56,920, Springfield pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Springfield's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 85% of the national average. This means the $48,382 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $56,920 in an average-cost city. This makes Springfield an attractive option for event planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for event planners in Springfield spans from $27,200 at the 10th percentile to $86,700 at the 90th percentile — a $59,500 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,750, while senior event planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,750. With a population of 114,394, Springfield is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Event Planner Salary in Springfield by Experience

In Springfield, an entry-level event planner earns around $29,750, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,750
$-5,250 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,300
$-8,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$80,750
$-14,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Springfield, IL

Percentile Springfield
10th Percentile $27,200
25th Percentile $35,700
Median (50th) $48,382
75th Percentile $66,300
90th Percentile $86,700

Event Planner Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$61,474
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$60,904
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$54,074
Pop. 197,757
Rockford, IL
$46,674
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Event Planner in Springfield

Education

Most event planner positions require a bachelor's degree. Springfield and the surrounding Illinois 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 Springfield may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Event Planner Jobs in Springfield

Browse open event planner positions in Springfield, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Event Planner Salary in Springfield

How much does a Event Planner make in Springfield, IL? ▼
The median event planner salary in Springfield, Illinois is $48,382 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $56,920. Salaries range from $27,200 (10th percentile) to $86,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a Event Planner make per hour in Springfield? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,382, a event planner in Springfield earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Springfield compare to the Illinois state average for event planner pay? ▼
Springfield's median event planner salary of $48,382 is 10.5% below the Illinois state average of $54,074. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Springfield, IL? ▼
Springfield has a cost of living index of 85% compared to the national average. This means a event planner salary of $48,382 in Springfield has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a event planner in Springfield? ▼
Most event planner positions in Springfield 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.