Recreational Therapists Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $51,100 -15.2% vs national
Median hourly $24.57
10th percentile $30,510
90th percentile $84,710
Employed locally 40
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,510
    25th
    $41,630
    50th (median)
    $51,100
    75th
    $59,870
    90th
    $84,710

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 77% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 23% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Recreational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $107,810
    Vallejo, CA $102,640
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $102,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,360
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,530

    Nearby metros — Recreational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,360
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $62,480
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $61,830
    Wisconsin $55,010
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $50,330
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $50,010

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $80,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $59,980
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,000
    Medical Records Specialists $65,960
    Physicians, All Other $374,300
    Pharmacists $134,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Columbia, SC is $24.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.64 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Columbia, SC is 15.2% below the national median of $60,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Recreational Therapists in Columbia?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $30,510 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,630.