Animal Caretakers pay range in La Crosse
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,860 a year or less, while the top 10% make $44,720 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in La Crosse earn between $27,850 and $34,830.
- $24K10th
- $28K25th
- $29KMedian
- $35K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $31,950 | $2,662 | $15.36 |
| Median | $28,780 | $2,398 | $13.84 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,850 | $2,321 | $13.39 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $34,830 | $2,902 | $16.75 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in La Crosse vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in La Crosse earn 7% less than the Wisconsin average ($34,330) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | $31,950 | $28,780 | $23,860 | $44,720 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $34,330 | $30,160 | $23,920 | $47,700 | 5,720 |
| United States | $37,300 | $35,360 | $27,250 | $50,060 | 266,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Animal Caretakers salary after taxes in La Crosse
On the average salary of $31,950, a single filer in La Crosse takes home about $27,165 a year, or $2,264 a month and $1,045 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
The La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WI | $27,165 | $2,264 |
| Working in MN | $26,961 | $2,247 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is La Crosse a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the La Crosse area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.8), so the average $31,950 buys what about $34,816 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in La Crosse ($48,260). A typical home costs $335,330, or 10.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Wisconsin cities
La Crosse ranks 13th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for this job; Madison pays the most ($37,260).
Highest-paying cities for animal caretakers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($47,930).
- San Jose, CA$47,930
- Seattle, WA$47,810
- San Francisco, CA$46,960
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050
- Barnstable, MA$45,910
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Animal Caretakers salary in La Crosse: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in La Crosse?
$15.36 an hour on average, and $13.84 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in La Crosse?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,860 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,850, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in La Crosse?
About $27,165 a year ($2,264 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $31,950.
Do animal caretakers earn more in La Crosse than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($37,300).
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. SOC code 39-2021; area La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN (29100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.61, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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