How to Become a Wedding Planner in New York (2026)
New York employs about 10,330 wedding planners earning a median $74,730 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most wedding planners train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New York.
Key Facts
- Median wage (New York): $74,730/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in New York: 10,330 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.16x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 4.8% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Sponsored - request program info
Compare Wedding Planner Schools in New York
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania College of Technology | 71.8 | Contact school for pricing | $66,316 | Not reported | Yes* | 149 mi |
| 2 | Raritan Valley Community College | 69.8 | Contact school for pricing | $57,072 | 33% | Yes* | 56 mi |
| 3 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | 65.4 | $8,772 - $26,944 | $56,927 | 47% | Yes* | 77 mi |
| 4 | Bergen Community College | 63.9 | Contact school for pricing | $51,761 | Not reported | Yes* | 25 mi |
| 5 | Bucks County Community College | 60.0 | $5,683 - $13,963 | $52,637 | 30% | Yes* | 85 mi |
| 6 | Northampton County Area Community College | 50.3 | Contact school for pricing | $49,408 | 22% | Yes* | 75 mi |
| 7 | SUNY Broome Community College | 47.9 | Contact school for pricing | $48,966 | 23% | Yes* | 106 mi |
| 8 | Connecticut State Community College | 47.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,130 | 21% | Yes* | 83 mi |
| 9 | Cayuga County Community College | 46.7 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 32% | Yes* | 166 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
New York employs approximately 10,330 wedding planners according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $74,730 1. Nationally, wedding planner employment is projected to grow 4.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 15,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a wedding planner in New York, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Wedding Planner Wages by Metro Area in New York
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), meeting, convention, and event planners wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 9,050 | $78,610 | $87,260 | $48,840 | $132,960 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 540 | $62,140 | $67,410 | $40,310 | $96,040 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 420 | $61,590 | $66,590 | $39,750 | $99,070 |
| Rochester | 370 | $62,580 | $65,790 | $40,860 | $97,200 |
| Syracuse | 210 | $56,700 | $60,710 | $39,200 | $93,410 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 170 | $64,420 | $73,340 | $42,790 | $140,270 |
| Kingston | 80 | $59,990 | $63,890 | $43,130 | $88,540 |
| Ithaca | 70 | $64,150 | $66,550 | $46,950 | $92,960 |
| Utica-Rome | 70 | $59,990 | $66,260 | $42,590 | $100,370 |
| Binghamton | 50 | $62,030 | $72,430 | $41,230 | $129,850 |
| Glens Falls | 30 | $64,880 | $66,710 | $36,620 | $119,750 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (New York): $74,730 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Wedding Planner in New York
How to become a wedding planner in New York? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for wedding planners in New York.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do wedding planners earn in New York? The median annual wage for wedding planners in New York is $74,730 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,600 and experienced professionals can earn $129,980 or more 1.
How to Become a Wedding Planner in New York
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New York training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in New York that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to wedding planners in New York before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for wedding planners in New York? New York currently employs approximately 10,330 wedding planners 1. Nationally, wedding planner employment is projected to grow 4.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New York.
How much do wedding planners earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for wedding planners in New York is $74,730, which is $15,290 above the national median of $59,440 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In New York
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in New York (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in New York
- Best HVAC Schools in New York (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in New York
- Best Plumbing Schools in New York (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in New York
Explore More Trades in New York
- Electrician in New York
- Plumber in New York
- HVAC Technician in New York
- Welder in New York
- Carpenter in New York
- Solar Installation Technician in New York
- Auto Mechanic in New York
- CNC Machinist in New York
- Certified Nursing Assistant in New York
- Medical Assistant in New York
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |