Hospitality & Tourism Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Event Planner Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median event planner salary in Brookings, SD is $48,951 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$48,951
vs State Avg
$-1,139
vs National
$-7,969
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median event planner salary of $48,951, which is $1,139 below the South Dakota state average of $50,090. Compared to the national median of $56,920, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $48,951 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $56,920 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for event planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for event planners in Brookings spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $87,720 at the 90th percentile — a $60,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,100, while senior event planners with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $81,700. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Event Planner Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level event planner earns around $30,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $81,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,880
$-8,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$81,700
$-13,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $36,120
Median (50th) $48,951
75th Percentile $67,080
90th Percentile $87,720

Event Planner Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$52,366
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$51,228
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$47,813
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$46,674
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Event Planner in Brookings

Education

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

Find Event Planner Jobs in Brookings

Browse open event planner positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Event Planner Salary in Brookings

How much does a Event Planner make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median event planner salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $48,951 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $56,920. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $87,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Event Planner make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,951, a event planner in Brookings earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for event planner pay? ▼
Brookings's median event planner salary of $48,951 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $50,090. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a event planner salary of $48,951 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a event planner in Brookings? ▼
Most event planner positions in Brookings 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.