Recreational Therapists Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $59,400 -1.5% vs national
Median hourly $28.56
10th percentile $45,910
90th percentile $74,360
Employed locally 80
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,910
    25th
    $49,000
    50th (median)
    $59,400
    75th
    $69,030
    90th
    $74,360

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 74% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 26% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $64,960
    Ohio $60,210
    Cleveland, OH $58,450
    Toledo, OH $56,810

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $82,520
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $62,460
    Physicians, All Other $231,590
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,630
    Nurse Practitioners $127,020
    Pharmacists $133,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Columbus, OH is $28.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.47 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Columbus, OH is 1.5% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $45,910 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,000.