How much should I pay my event planner?

In general, a qualified event planner should be paid 15 to 20 percent of what it costs to put on the event, according to About.com. For example, if an event costs $15,000, the event planner should be paid between $2,250 and $3,000.

The price should reflect the quality of the work. If the event planner is new or in training, their pay should be considerably less than it would be for someone who is well-respected and has a long list of experience. Most event planners quote their own price. This is often a flat fee event planners charge for putting together the event.