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Director of Special Events Salary in Waukee, IA

How much does a Director of Special Events make in Waukee, IA?

$93,179 (USD)/year

Average Bonus

$2,917 (USD)

per Year
Total Compensation

$94,887.50

As of July, 23, 2026, the average director of special events gross salary in Waukee, Iowa is $93,179 or an equivalent hourly rate of $45. In addition, director of special eventses earn an average bonus of $2,917. An entry level director of special events with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $65,881. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level director of special events with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $105,581. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in Waukee, Iowa.
Data powered by ERI

Salary Potential for a Director of Special Events

Explore the estimated salary growth for a Director of Special Events in Waukee, IA for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Director of Special Events will be $95,649 in 1 year and $106,199 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$98,184
Average Growth
5.4 %
The estimated salary for a Director of Special Events in 2 years is $98,184, which is 5.4 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.

Typical Director of Special Events Education

This chart displays the highest level of education for Director of Special Eventses.

  • 0% of Director of Special Eventses have less than a High School Diploma
  • 0% of Director of Special Eventses have a High School Diploma
  • 0% of Director of Special Eventses have an Associate's Degree
  • 100% of Director of Special Eventses have a Bachelor's Degree
  • 0% of Director of Special Eventses have a Master's Degree
  • 0% of Director of Special Eventses have a Doctorate Degree

The typical field of study for a Director of Special Events is Advertising.

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Popular Skills for a Director of Special Events

Skills data not available for this job

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Cost of Living in Waukee, IA

The cost of living in Waukee, IA is 11% lower than the national average.
Cost of living trend lower
11% lower
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Director of Special Events do?
Develops, implements and evaluates the organization wide strategy of special event planning and continuously makes adjustments to increase the quality of events. Assigns managers and coordinators to plan and execute specific events and supervises the progress to ensure events are executed according to organizational plan. Schedules events in coordination with the organization's event calendar and annual event budget. Oversees the negotiation of terms and fees with facilities, vendors, speakers, entertainers in accordance with organizational budget, policies and procedures.
How much does a Director of Special Events make in Waukee, IA?
The average salary for a Director of Special Events is $93,179 per year or $44.80 per hour in Waukee, IA. Top earners have reported making up to $105,581. However, the typical pay range in Waukee, IA is between $65,881 and $105,581 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Director of Special Events?
Director of Special Events is projected to see a 14.0 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer? 
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career. 
What are some factors that impact Director of Special Events salaries? 
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.

About Our Data

This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.

ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.

Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.

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