Recreation Worker Salary in Columbus, OH
Recreation Workers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $33,690 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,106 take-home, or $2,425 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Columbus, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,863
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,089
- Medicare (1.45%)$489
- Ohio income tax$144
- Take-home pay$29,106
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,880 | $13.88 | $25,373 | $2,114 |
| 25th percentile | $31,280 | $15.04 | $27,236 | $2,270 |
| Median (50th) | $33,690 | $16.20 | $29,106 | $2,425 |
| 75th percentile | $37,220 | $17.89 | $31,845 | $2,654 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,520 | $23.33 | $40,614 | $3,384 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,690 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,106 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,487 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 Columbus, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #40 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 |
| 40 | Columbus, OH | $33,690 | $29,106 | $30,487 |
*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 Ohio
- Dayton, OH — $33,130
- Akron, OH — $32,540
- Toledo, OH — $30,550
- Cleveland, OH — $31,380
- Cincinnati, OH — $29,880
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Columbus, OH?
The median recreation worker salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $33,690 a year, or about $16.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,280 and $37,220.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $33,690 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $29,106 a year ($2,425 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $144 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,487 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #40 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $50,040
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $42,050
- Residential Advisor — $41,930
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $37,670
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $37,410
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,260
- Animal Caretaker — $30,920
- Childcare Worker — $30,280
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $28,350
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,540