Recreational Therapist salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Recreational Therapists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $52,750 a year ($25.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 1% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $52,010. There are 0.42 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,790, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 25th percentile | $52,010 | $25.00 |
| Median | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 75th percentile | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Average (mean) | $51,790 | $24.90 |
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 | $4,395.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,197.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,028.85 |
| Weekly | $1,014.42 |
| Hourly | $25.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,640 | 260 |
| Savannah, GA | $53,080 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,010 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,590 | 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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $121,530 | $58.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $191,360 | $92.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,240 | $38.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,580 | $45.47 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,540 | $44.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $179,420 | $86.26 |
| Physician Assistant | $117,030 | $56.27 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Dentists, General | $196,310 | $94.38 |
| Veterinarian | $99,840 | $48.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $52,750 a year, or $25.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $55,440 a year. The top 25% earn $52,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,340 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $52,010 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.