Recreation Worker Salary in Columbia, SC
Recreation Workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $30,140 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,746 take-home, or $2,146 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,437
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,869
- Medicare (1.45%)$437
- South Carolina income tax$651
- Take-home pay$25,746
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,110 | $10.15 | $18,720 | $1,560 |
| 25th percentile | $26,170 | $12.58 | $22,736 | $1,895 |
| Median (50th) | $30,140 | $14.49 | $25,746 | $2,146 |
| 75th percentile | $39,540 | $19.01 | $32,735 | $2,728 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,640 | $22.42 | $38,014 | $3,168 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,140 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $25,746 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,488 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Recreation Worker jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #103 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 |
| 103 | Columbia, SC | $30,140 | $25,746 | $27,488 |
*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
- Charleston, SC — $36,550
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $31,030
- Greenville, SC — $30,200
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Columbia, SC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $30,140 a year, or about $14.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,170 and $39,540.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $30,140 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $25,746 a year ($2,146 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $651 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,488 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #103 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,870
- Animal Caretaker — $30,720
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $30,710
- Childcare Worker — $28,850
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $25,720