Recreation Worker Salary in Charleston, SC
Recreation Workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $36,550 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,512 take-home, or $2,543 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,206
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,266
- Medicare (1.45%)$530
- South Carolina income tax$1,036
- Take-home pay$30,512
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,950 | $9.11 | $17,007 | $1,417 |
| 25th percentile | $30,210 | $14.52 | $25,798 | $2,150 |
| Median (50th) | $36,550 | $17.57 | $30,512 | $2,543 |
| 75th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 | $37,360 | $3,113 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,220 | $25.11 | $42,163 | $3,514 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,550 buys in Charleston, SC
Prices in Charleston, SC are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,512 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,221 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charleston, SC has 1.3× the national concentration of recreation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, SC ranks #48 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
| 48 | Charleston, SC | $36,550 | $30,512 | $30,221 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $31,030
- Greenville, SC — $30,200
- Columbia, SC — $30,140
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Charleston, SC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $36,550 a year, or about $17.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,210 and $45,760.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $36,550 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $30,512 a year ($2,543 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,036 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,221 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #48 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Charleston, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charleston, SC is $1,630 a month ($1,787 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, SC
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,280
- Animal Caretaker — $35,000
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,860
- Childcare Worker — $31,870
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,730