Career comparison
Banquet Server vs. Event Planner
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Event planners earn more at the median ($61,160 vs. $35,360), while banquet servers usually get to work faster (A few days on the job of training). Banquet servers serve food and drinks at weddings, conferences and catered events. Event planners plan and run conferences, weddings, meetings and celebrations.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Banquet Server | Event Planner | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $35,360 ($17.00/hr) | $61,160 ($29.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,030 – $46,120 | $36,830 – $101,700 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.5% (about as fast as average) | +5.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 48,800 | 16,800 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | A few days on the job | 4 years or event experience |
| Key credential | Food handler card | Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) |
| Work setting | Servers work in ballrooms, venues and catering sites.. | Planners work in offices, hotels, convention centers and event venues, traveling to sites and working on their feet during events.. |
What each job does
Banquet Server
- Set tables
- Serve courses
- Pour drinks
- Run buffets
- Clear plates
Event Planner
- Meet clients to define goals and budgets
- Research and book venues
- Negotiate contracts with vendors
- Coordinate catering, AV and transportation
- Manage registration and attendees
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, teamwork, and in-demand. Both are part of the hospitality, food & tourism field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose banquet server if…
- I like events
- I’m friendly
- I can carry trays
Choose event planner if…
- I love organizing details
- I stay calm when things go wrong
- I enjoy working with people
Still torn? Take the Banquet Server fit quiz and the Event Planner fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, banquet server or event planner?
Event Planners earn more at the median: $61,160 versus $35,360 for banquet servers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Banquet Servers typically train faster (A few days on the job) than event planners (4 years or event experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects event planners to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with +4.5% for banquet servers.