Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in La Crosse, WI: $67,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in La Crosse, WI earns a median $67,595/year (≈ $32.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $73,658 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, WI, the projected 2026 median annual salary for licensed practical nurses is $67,595, reflecting a slightly lower figure compared to the national average of $68,071. The salary range extends from $54,615 at the lower end (P10) to $81,569 at the upper end (P90), highlighting a solid earning potential in this role. These figures are sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they reflect the local context, including Wisconsin's specific scope-of-practice laws that allow LPNs to perform IV therapy and assessments. As La Crosse continues to support its healthcare sector, the competitive compensation for LPNs suggests opportunities for professional growth and stability in an evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,615 | $26.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,786 | $30.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,595 | $32.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,330 | $37.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,569 | $39.21 |
Median Salary Position
0.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,954 (2026 est.). At $67,595, the local median is 0.7% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $67,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,663 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.70% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $67,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,658 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,240
2025 BLS Actual
$63,950
2026 Current Est.
$67,595
2019–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.3% from $46,240 (2019) to $63,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,208 (54.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,615 – $62,786 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,786 – $67,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,595 – $77,330 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,330 – $81,569 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in La Crosse
The strength of the local job market is evident, with approximately 260 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the La Crosse area, driven by the demand within various healthcare settings. The cost of living index stands at 91.769, indicating a favorable environment for take-home pay and overall purchasing power for LPNs relative to national averages. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, often supplemented by shift differentials and specialty stipends for IV therapy certification. In terms of maximization strategies, licensed practical nurses seeking to enhance their pay should consider positions in long-term care, pursue additional certifications, and leverage shifts during weekends or holidays. This strategic focus can effectively position LPNs to not only improve their earnings but also advance their careers in the local healthcare ecosystem.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in La Crosse?
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,950 for licensed practical nursesin the La Crosse metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov