Recreational Therapist salary in Columbia, SC
Recreational Therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $43,730 a year ($21.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,900 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 11% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $48,880. There are 0.26 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 25th percentile | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Median | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| 75th percentile | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,900 | $32.64 |
| Average (mean) | $48,680 | $23.40 |
Half of recreational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,644.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,822.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,681.92 |
| Weekly | $840.96 |
| Hourly | $21.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,170 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,010 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $50,470 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1125. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $43,730 a year, or $21.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $67,900 a year. The top 25% earn $55,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,450 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $39,680 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Columbia, SC?
About 100 recreational therapists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.