Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in La Crosse
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,890 a year or less, while the top 10% make $119,430 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in La Crosse earn between $65,450 and $92,840.
- $56K10th
- $65K25th
- $79KMedian
- $93K75th
- $119K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $79,870 | $6,656 | $38.40 |
| Median | $78,850 | $6,571 | $37.91 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,450 | $5,454 | $31.47 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $92,840 | $7,737 | $44.63 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in La Crosse vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in La Crosse earn 13% more than the Wisconsin average ($70,880) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | $79,870 | $78,850 | $55,890 | $119,430 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $70,880 | $68,370 | $42,950 | $91,170 | 360 |
| United States | $83,020 | $76,780 | $49,100 | $126,440 | 18,120 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary after taxes in La Crosse
On the average salary of $79,870, a single filer in La Crosse takes home about $61,786 a year, or $5,149 a month and $2,376 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% 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 | $61,786 | $5,149 |
| Working in MN | $61,111 | $5,093 |
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 zoologists and wildlife biologists? 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 $79,870 buys what about $87,034 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in La Crosse ($48,260). A typical home costs $335,330, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other Wisconsin cities
La Crosse ranks 1st of 2 Wisconsin metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- La Crosse$79,870
- Madison$70,860
All Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries in Wisconsin
Highest-paying cities for zoologists and wildlife biologists
Santa Cruz, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($122,660).
- Santa Cruz, CA$122,660
- Washington, DC$115,330
- San Jose, CA$107,240
- Seattle, WA$105,140
- San Francisco, CA$105,110
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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in La Crosse: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in La Crosse?
$38.40 an hour on average, and $37.91 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in La Crosse?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,890 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,450, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in La Crosse?
About $61,786 a year ($5,149 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $79,870.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in La Crosse than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less than the U.S. average for this job ($83,020).
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 19-1023; area La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN (29100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.2%.
- 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 5.29, this job is 5.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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