RESEARCH
EXHIBITOR Magazine's 40th Annual
SALARY SURVEY
SALARY SURVEY
Forty years in and the numbers look good: annual raises, strong support for events, and six-figure salaries. So why do so many events professionals still feel financially flat? In this year's research, we'll dig into those six-figure salaries and explore the meh behind the milestone. By Emily Olson
With an average annual salary of more than $105,000, exhibit and events professionals who responded to our survey bring in 20 percent more than the national average for full-time, educated white-collar workers across all industries in the United States. Yet nearly half of this year's survey respondents reported feeling underpaid.
That salary number is real, and it's even higher considering that nearly all respondents reported that they receive some sort of additional compensation that equals more than $11,000 per year. But you know what else is real? The grind. Survey respondents work an average of 46 hours per week (20 percent work more than 50 hours), manage significant budgets — some more than seven figures — and travel extensively.
This year's survey respondents said they receive plenty of support from management and report that their annual raises are due to merit. However, once inflation is factored in, most of those raises shake out to be cost-of-living increases. That gap between recognition and reward leaves industry professionals feeling like they're running in place.
However, exhibit and events professionals aren't simply subject to the whims of upper management when it comes to their salary. This year's results show that self-advocacy and education can do a lot to move the needle. More than half of respondents haven't asked for a raise in three years or more, and 34 percent have never asked in their current position. Certification translates into an additional $9,500 a year, yet only 29 percent of this year's respondents hold one. And perhaps most telling is the dramatic gap in salary between titles. For example, there's a $28,000 delta between trade show coordinators and trade show managers. Carefully mapping a career path is more important than staying in place and accepting incremental raises when it comes to reaching the upper echelons of earning.
This year's data portrays an industry that pays well, but open-ended responses from survey respondents show salaries are not always proportional to the demands it places on people. Annual raises and support are there, but for many professionals, the route to feeling fairly compensated may depend on education and advocating for themselves and the importance of their role.
That salary number is real, and it's even higher considering that nearly all respondents reported that they receive some sort of additional compensation that equals more than $11,000 per year. But you know what else is real? The grind. Survey respondents work an average of 46 hours per week (20 percent work more than 50 hours), manage significant budgets — some more than seven figures — and travel extensively.
This year's survey respondents said they receive plenty of support from management and report that their annual raises are due to merit. However, once inflation is factored in, most of those raises shake out to be cost-of-living increases. That gap between recognition and reward leaves industry professionals feeling like they're running in place.
However, exhibit and events professionals aren't simply subject to the whims of upper management when it comes to their salary. This year's results show that self-advocacy and education can do a lot to move the needle. More than half of respondents haven't asked for a raise in three years or more, and 34 percent have never asked in their current position. Certification translates into an additional $9,500 a year, yet only 29 percent of this year's respondents hold one. And perhaps most telling is the dramatic gap in salary between titles. For example, there's a $28,000 delta between trade show coordinators and trade show managers. Carefully mapping a career path is more important than staying in place and accepting incremental raises when it comes to reaching the upper echelons of earning.
This year's data portrays an industry that pays well, but open-ended responses from survey respondents show salaries are not always proportional to the demands it places on people. Annual raises and support are there, but for many professionals, the route to feeling fairly compensated may depend on education and advocating for themselves and the importance of their role.
EXHIBITOR Magazine's 2026 Salary Survey was conducted by Signet Research. Participants received an email survey invitation with a participation incentive included. The email invitations generated 782 total responses, and the final number of analyzed responses was 455, screening out incomplete responses or responses indicating no responsibility for their organizations' trade shows or corporate events. The sample achieves a +/- 5-percent margin of error at a 95-percent confidence interval.
Average Salaries
To read the full 2026 Salary Survey, including an in-depth analysis of the six most common job titles, visit ExhibitorOnline.com/Salary.
All Titles $105,883
Corporate Event Manager $112,644
Exhibit or Trade Show Coordinator $74,311
Exhibit or Trade Show Manager $102,414
Marketing Communications Manager $91,975
Marketing Director $131,244
Corporate Event Manager $112,644
Exhibit or Trade Show Coordinator $74,311
Exhibit or Trade Show Manager $102,414
Marketing Communications Manager $91,975
Marketing Director $131,244
Good News
Strong Support
Eighty percent of respondents said that upper management shows either strong or average support for their trade show program, proving that confidence in events as a marketing tool remains strong.
Salaries Are Up
Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported receiving a raise in the last year. Of those who received a raise, 66 percent said that their salary increase was due to their performance.
Mind the Gap
The gender pay gap is still a persistent issue across all industries. But what about in events? According to our survey, women reported earning 92 cents on the dollar. Equality is still the goal, but that gender-based gap is narrower in the events industry than in others.
Strong Support
Eighty percent of respondents said that upper management shows either strong or average support for their trade show program, proving that confidence in events as a marketing tool remains strong.
Salaries Are Up
Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported receiving a raise in the last year. Of those who received a raise, 66 percent said that their salary increase was due to their performance.
Mind the Gap
The gender pay gap is still a persistent issue across all industries. But what about in events? According to our survey, women reported earning 92 cents on the dollar. Equality is still the goal, but that gender-based gap is narrower in the events industry than in others.
Bad News
School Daze
Only 29 percent of respondents said that they hold a certification, meaning that 71 percent should be strapping on their backpacks and heading to school. Those who don't are leaving money on the table, because survey results say that a certification translates into more than $9,500 in annual compensation.
Finances Are Flat
Although the majority of our respondents received a raise within the last year, most received a bump in the range of 1 to 3 percent, which is in line with inflation. Most respondents who received a raise said it was a reward for performance, but the reality is that their only reward is being able to keep up, not get ahead.
Still Uneven
There's a narrower pay gap in the events industry than in other U.S. industries, which is common in fields dominated by women. But the gap hasn't disappeared. That raises a more important question: Is this about unequal pay or unequal access to higher-paying roles? Walk a show floor and you'll see a sea of women. Whether that representation holds at the top is less clear.
School Daze
Only 29 percent of respondents said that they hold a certification, meaning that 71 percent should be strapping on their backpacks and heading to school. Those who don't are leaving money on the table, because survey results say that a certification translates into more than $9,500 in annual compensation.
Finances Are Flat
Although the majority of our respondents received a raise within the last year, most received a bump in the range of 1 to 3 percent, which is in line with inflation. Most respondents who received a raise said it was a reward for performance, but the reality is that their only reward is being able to keep up, not get ahead.
Still Uneven
There's a narrower pay gap in the events industry than in other U.S. industries, which is common in fields dominated by women. But the gap hasn't disappeared. That raises a more important question: Is this about unequal pay or unequal access to higher-paying roles? Walk a show floor and you'll see a sea of women. Whether that representation holds at the top is less clear.
Show Us the Money
Of those respondents who received a raise in the past year (69 percent), most received cost-of-living increases.
Of those respondents who received a raise in the past year (69 percent), most received cost-of-living increases.
All About That Base
According to survey data, more than half of exhibit and events professionals are making six figures in base pay, while 5 percent earn less than $60,000 per year.
According to survey data, more than half of exhibit and events professionals are making six figures in base pay, while 5 percent earn less than $60,000 per year.
Say What?
The following quotes are a sampling of respondents' answers to open-ended questions regarding their careers and compensation.
The following quotes are a sampling of respondents' answers to open-ended questions regarding their careers and compensation.
Location, Location ... Compensation
Exhibit and event professionals in the Pacific region earn salaries that are 18 percent higher than respondents in the East North Central region. But because cost of living varies dramatically across the country, it's difficult to draw direct comparisons.
Exhibit and event professionals in the Pacific region earn salaries that are 18 percent higher than respondents in the East North Central region. But because cost of living varies dramatically across the country, it's difficult to draw direct comparisons.
What's Certification Worth?
Respondents with at least one industry certification (such as the Certified Trade Show Marketer designation) reported having salaries approximately 9-percent higher than those with no industry certifications at all, which amounts to roughly $9,516 in increased earnings per year.
Respondents with at least one industry certification (such as the Certified Trade Show Marketer designation) reported having salaries approximately 9-percent higher than those with no industry certifications at all, which amounts to roughly $9,516 in increased earnings per year.
Dollars and Cents
Base salaries have generally edged upward since our survey's inception, aside from setbacks in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2011, and 2016. Meanwhile, our research shows that bonuses and additional compensation have been remarkably varied, ranging from an average low of $2,981 in 1991 to peaks exceeding $16,000 in 2000, 2006, 2011, and 2024.
Base salaries have generally edged upward since our survey's inception, aside from setbacks in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2011, and 2016. Meanwhile, our research shows that bonuses and additional compensation have been remarkably varied, ranging from an average low of $2,981 in 1991 to peaks exceeding $16,000 in 2000, 2006, 2011, and 2024.
That Was Then
EXHIBITOR magazine's first Annual Salary Survey was conducted 40 years ago and although the difference in salary looks dramatic, it has tracked with inflation. That means the industry's average base salary has remained virtually the same while the industry's complexity has increased dramatically.
EXHIBITOR magazine's first Annual Salary Survey was conducted 40 years ago and although the difference in salary looks dramatic, it has tracked with inflation. That means the industry's average base salary has remained virtually the same while the industry's complexity has increased dramatically.
PerksMaxxing
Ninety-eight percent of exhibit and event professionals receive at least one form of additional compensation beyond their base pay. This year, the value of those extras totaled $11,320. The charts below indicate the percentage of respondents who receive each form of extra compensation.
Ninety-eight percent of exhibit and event professionals receive at least one form of additional compensation beyond their base pay. This year, the value of those extras totaled $11,320. The charts below indicate the percentage of respondents who receive each form of extra compensation.
What's Your Time Worth?
Most survey respondents are paid by fixed annual salaries. But if those salaries were translated into hourly wages, what would 60 minutes of work be worth? Based on our calculations, which assumes an average 46-hour workweek and three weeks of vacation, exhibit and event professionals' average wage works out to roughly $47 per hour.
Most survey respondents are paid by fixed annual salaries. But if those salaries were translated into hourly wages, what would 60 minutes of work be worth? Based on our calculations, which assumes an average 46-hour workweek and three weeks of vacation, exhibit and event professionals' average wage works out to roughly $47 per hour.
Fortune Favors the Bold
When was the last time you asked for a raise? About one in three respondents have never asked for a raise in their current position, while more than half haven't asked in three years or more.
When was the last time you asked for a raise? About one in three respondents have never asked for a raise in their current position, while more than half haven't asked in three years or more.
Are You Normal?
Use the below QR code to find EXHIBITOR magazine's salary calculator, which uses your unique attributes and talents to compare your salary to that of your peers.
Use the below QR code to find EXHIBITOR magazine's salary calculator, which uses your unique attributes and talents to compare your salary to that of your peers.
Editorial
Some Things Never Change
Forty years ago we were putting business cards in fishbowls and traveling on blissfully Wi-Fi-free airplanes.
Exhibitor Q & A
Graphics
What are some cost-effective ways to refresh my booth graphics without undergoing a full redesign?
Ask Dan
Effective Brainstorming
How can I ensure my pre-show group brainstorming sessions aren't a waste of time?
Exhibiting 101
Extend Your Reach
From emails to apps, pre-show outreach can maximize your visibility and improve your odds of success onsite.
Fuel
Ideas That Work
Quiet Power, Write on Cue, Stage Presence, and more
Products
New Tools
Three Can't-Miss Product Launches
Advertorial
Aluvision
Designed for Impact & Efficiency
Conventional Wisdom
Broward County Convention Center
Broward County Convention Center's vibe screams meeting space meets cruise-port chic.
Fixing Snafus
Sharpies Save the Show
This Plan B comes from the office-supply aisle and the imagination of a good designer.
Quiz
Show or Sham?
Try to guess which shows are real and which are shams in this month's quiz
Archive
Seeing the Future
1911: The Dresden International Hygiene Exhibition
City Profile
Get Out: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale blends beach-town ease with nightlife, culture, and coastline intrigue
Insight
Breaking Barriers
Few issues have changed the business landscape like that of accessibility.
International
Exhibiting Internationally
Here are four things you need to know before taking your exhibit abroad.
Planning
Gen Z Thinks Your Conference Is Cringe
Here are four ways to adjust your event to meet the unique needs of Gen Z.
Portfolio
Counter Intelligence
In the competitive landscape of trade show exhibits, the reception desk stands as your first point of contact.
Awards
EXHIBITOR Magazine's 13th Annual Portable/Modular Awards
Read about the portable, modular, and system exhibits that took home top honors.
Interview
It's All About the People
Derse Inc. leaders discuss industry trends, cost-effective activations, and ensuring a meaningful trade show program.
Salary Survey
40th Annual Salary Survey
Forty years in and the numbers look good: annual raises, strong support for events, and six-figure salaries.
Salary Survey
40th Annual Salary Survey by Title
The full 2026 Salary Survey, including an in-depth analysis of the six most common jobs