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Average salary by job family in La Crosse
| Management | $129,180 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $121,700 |
| Legal | $97,190 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $96,070 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $91,530 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $88,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $82,020 |
| Construction and Extraction | $67,430 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $62,950 |
| Community and Social Service | $61,030 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $58,670 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $54,640 |
| Protective Service | $53,210 |
| Production | $50,040 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $48,550 |
| Sales and Related | $48,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $47,750 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $44,040 |
| Healthcare Support | $41,460 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $39,110 |
| Personal Care and Service | $36,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $31,970 |
Highest-paying jobs in La Crosse
- Family Medicine Physicians$273,110
- Chief Executives$239,750
- Nurse Anesthetists$236,040
- Dentists, General$206,140
- Optometrists$168,910
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$158,460
- Personal Financial Advisors$157,660
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$155,580
- Pharmacists$155,120
- Financial Managers$149,050
Most common jobs in La Crosse and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 2,920 | $95,460 | $98,370 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,290 | $35,540 | $34,090 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 2,130 | $36,420 | $37,140 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 2,100 | $63,330 | $60,300 |
| Cashiers | 2,020 | $31,850 | $30,900 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 1,960 | $28,540 | $28,280 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 1,620 | $41,840 | $42,800 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,530 | $37,740 | $36,130 |
| Office Clerks, General | 1,500 | $44,410 | $45,220 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,470 | $36,080 | $34,150 |
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Cost of living in La Crosse
Prices in the La Crosse area are 8% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 91.8 for 2024. The average local salary of $62,770 therefore buys what $68,400 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $335,330, 4.7 times the median household income of $71,009.
$335,330typical home value
$71,009median household income
91.8BEA price parity
169,945metro population
Take-home pay in La Crosse
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,920 | $30,913 | $2,576 |
| Median wage | $48,260 | $39,466 | $3,289 |
| Average wage | $62,770 | $50,398 | $4,200 |
| 75th percentile wage | $74,300 | $58,198 | $4,850 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in La Crosse
Management23 jobs
- Chief Executives$240K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$158K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$156K
- Financial Managers$149K
- Purchasing Managers$147K
- Marketing Managers$146K
- Human Resources Managers$145K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$140K
- Sales Managers$138K
- Construction Managers$129K
- Natural Sciences Managers$128K
- General and Operations Managers$125K
- Industrial Production Managers$124K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$120K
- Managers, All Other$118K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$113K
- Administrative Services Managers$112K
- Facilities Managers$107K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$106K
- Social and Community Service Managers$82K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$77K
- Food Service Managers$68K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$54K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical27 jobs
- Family Medicine Physicians$273K
- Nurse Anesthetists$236K
- Dentists, General$206K
- Optometrists$169K
- Pharmacists$155K
- Nurse Practitioners$128K
- Chiropractors$117K
- Veterinarians$115K
- Physical Therapists$98K
- Registered Nurses$95K
- Dental Hygienists$94K
- Occupational Therapists$87K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$81K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$76K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$71K
- Medical Records Specialists$68K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$65K
- Athletic Trainers$63K
- Paramedics$62K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$62K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$55K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$46K
- Pharmacy Technicians$46K
- Opticians, Dispensing$46K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$44K
- Psychiatric Technicians$38K
- Dietetic Technicians$36K
Legal2 jobs
Architecture and Engineering8 jobs
Computer and Mathematical11 jobs
- Computer Network Architects$122K
- Software Developers$118K
- Information Security Analysts$112K
- Data Scientists$104K
- Computer Systems Analysts$104K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$90K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$88K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$88K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$78K
- Operations Research Analysts$70K
- Computer User Support Specialists$59K
Life, Physical, and Social Science8 jobs
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$119K
- Psychologists, All Other$116K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$94K
- Conservation Scientists$84K
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$80K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$80K
- School Psychologists$78K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$77K
Business and Financial Operations20 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$158K
- Project Management Specialists$99K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$96K
- Management Analysts$96K
- Compliance Officers$85K
- Loan Officers$83K
- Accountants and Auditors$82K
- Cost Estimators$82K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$78K
- Training and Development Specialists$76K
- Logisticians$74K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$73K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$72K
- Credit Analysts$72K
- Human Resources Specialists$71K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$69K
- Fundraisers$67K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$52K
- Credit Counselors$51K
Construction and Extraction13 jobs
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$96K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$82K
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$81K
- Electricians$78K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$75K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$73K
- Sheet Metal Workers$72K
- Carpenters$62K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$62K
- Construction Laborers$57K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$57K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$55K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$49K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair17 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$106K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$88K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$82K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$69K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$69K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$64K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$64K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$63K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$57K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$56K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$56K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$55K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$55K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$54K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$53K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$41K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$41K
Community and Social Service10 jobs
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$69K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$68K
- Social Workers, All Other$67K
- Healthcare Social Workers$66K
- Health Education Specialists$65K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$62K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$62K
- Clergy$55K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$52K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$45K
Educational Instruction and Library27 jobs
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$93K
- Instructional Coordinators$86K
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$82K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$80K
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$80K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$80K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$79K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$79K
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$78K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$78K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$74K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$73K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$69K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$66K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$65K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$65K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$65K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$64K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$53K
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$49K
- Tutors$41K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$39K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$38K
- Library Technicians$37K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$37K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media8 jobs
Protective Service7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$95K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$72K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$69K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$60K
- Firefighters$45K
- Security Guards$39K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$30K
Production27 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72K
- Tool and Die Makers$65K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$63K
- Machinists$62K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$62K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$57K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$55K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49K
- Printing Press Operators$49K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$48K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$46K
- Food Batchmakers$46K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$45K
- Prepress Technicians and Workers$44K
- Bakers$41K
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$41K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$41K
- Production Workers, All Other$40K
- Helpers--Production Workers$38K
- Sewing Machine Operators$38K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$37K
Office and Administrative Support32 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$70K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$64K
- Postal Service Clerks$63K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$62K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$59K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$56K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$53K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$53K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$53K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$53K
- Procurement Clerks$51K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$50K
- New Accounts Clerks$50K
- Order Clerks$49K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$49K
- Bill and Account Collectors$49K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$48K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$48K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$48K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$48K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47K
- Customer Service Representatives$47K
- File Clerks$45K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$45K
- Office Clerks, General$44K
- Data Entry Keyers$44K
- Tellers$41K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$41K
- Couriers and Messengers$38K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$38K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$37K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$34K
Sales and Related13 jobs
- Sales Engineers$126K
- Insurance Sales Agents$103K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$92K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$83K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$82K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$74K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$71K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$57K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$52K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$48K
- Parts Salespersons$46K
- Retail Salespersons$36K
- Cashiers$32K
Transportation and Material Moving16 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$98K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$64K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$63K
- Bus Drivers, School$53K
- Light Truck Drivers$49K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$48K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$42K
- Driver/Sales Workers$39K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$36K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$36K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$35K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$34K
- Parking Attendants$33K
- Taxi Drivers$29K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Healthcare Support10 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$64K
- Massage Therapists$61K
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$58K
- Dental Assistants$49K
- Medical Assistants$48K
- Phlebotomists$46K
- Nursing Assistants$43K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$40K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance5 jobs
Personal Care and Service10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$57K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$50K
- Skincare Specialists$47K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$40K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$36K
- Recreation Workers$35K
- Childcare Workers$33K
- Animal Caretakers$32K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$32K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$28K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$43K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$39K
- Cooks, Restaurant$36K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$35K
- Food Preparation Workers$34K
- Waiters and Waitresses$33K
- Cooks, Short Order$32K
- Cooks, Fast Food$29K
- Dishwashers$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$29K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$27K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$27K
- Bartenders$27K
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Salary in La Crosse: questions
What is a good salary in La Crosse?
Half of all workers in the La Crosse metro earn less than $48,260 and the average is $62,770. Earning more than $74,300 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in La Crosse to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $64,927, because prices here are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.8).
What are the highest-paying jobs in La Crosse?
Family Medicine Physicians ($273,110), Chief Executives ($239,750), Nurse Anesthetists ($236,040).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN (29100), all occupations and 309 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
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