La Crosse Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
La Crosse, WI: $22.76/hr median hourly wage, $47,348 median annual salary, cost of living index 85.9, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Wisconsin taxes.
La Crosse Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in La Crosse, WI is $22.76/hr, equivalent to $47,348 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.11/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $32.32/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$47,348
$22.76/hr
Cost of Living
85.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.3%
rate
La Crosse, WI Overview
Population
52,680
Median Salary
$47,348
Average Salary
$53,030
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$226,000
Median Rent
$930/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
5%
La Crosse is located in Wisconsin with a population of 52,680. The median household salary is $47,348 per year ($22.76/hour), which is $12,036 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
La Crosse Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in La Crosse, WI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $47,348 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $29,356 | $14.11/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $47,348 | $22.76/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $67,234 | $32.32/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $84,279 | $40.51/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
La Crosse Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in La Crosse, WI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$37,255
$3,104.62/month · $1,432.90/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,432.90 take-home per paycheck after estimated Wisconsin and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$47,348
Federal Tax
-$3,502
State Tax
-$2,969
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,622
Net Pay
$37,255
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,945.67 | $47,348.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$291.81 | -$3,501.76 |
| Wisconsin State Tax (6.27%) | -$247.39 | -$2,968.72 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$244.63 | -$2,935.58 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$57.21 | -$686.55 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,104.62 | $37,255.40 |
Salary Comparison: La Crosse vs Other Cities
See how La Crosse's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WI | $47,348 | 85.9 | $55,120 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Oswego, IL | $47,320 | 84 | $56,333 |
| Lima, OH | $47,320 | 83 | $57,012 |
| Falls Township, PA | $47,402 | 94.8 | $50,002 |
| Horizon West, FL | $47,279 | 101.8 | $46,443 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in La Crosse
La Crosse's cost of living index is 85.9 (national average = 100). Living in La Crosse is 14.099999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$226,000
Median Monthly Rent
$930
Annual Rent Cost
$11,160
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $37,255 annual take-home pay in La Crosse has the purchasing power of approximately $43,371 in an average-cost US area. Your $47,348 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in La Crosse
La Crosse's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $47,348.
Salary Tips for La Crosse Workers
- Your salary goes further here. La Crosse has a cost of living 14.099999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $47,348 here has the purchasing power of about $55,120 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.27% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. La Crosse's top industries include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $47,348 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate La Crosse salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the La Crosse-WI metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with La Crosse indexed at 85.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of La Crosse's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $47,348 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Wisconsin state income tax (6.27%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for La Crosse: 3.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Wisconsin.
- Housing context: median home price $226,000, median rent $930/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for La Crosse, WI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — La Crosse unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — La Crosse QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Wisconsin — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. La Crosse's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Wisconsin labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in La Crosse, WI?
The median hourly wage in La Crosse, WI is $22.76 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $47,348 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.11/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $32.32/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in La Crosse, WI?
The median salary in La Crosse, WI is $47,348 per year, or $22.76 per hour. The average salary is $53,030. This is $12,036 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in La Crosse, WI?
La Crosse's cost of living index is 85.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.099999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $226,000 and the median monthly rent is $930.
What are the best industries in La Crosse?
The top industries in La Crosse, WI include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $47,348.
How does La Crosse's salary compare to other cities?
La Crosse's median salary of $47,348 is 20.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 85.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,120.
What is the minimum wage in La Crosse, WI?
The minimum wage in La Crosse, WI is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.