SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — La Crosse
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN · 10 metro areas compared
At $38,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Firefighters, 34.4% beneath the national figure of $59,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $38,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Firefighters, 34.4% beneath the national figure of $59,280. Pay ranges from under $26,970 at the tenth percentile to more than $60,930 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $32,720 to $59,060.
The area has 250 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.35 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Sheboygan records the highest median at $79,620. Of the 311 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 256th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,970 | −54.5% |
| 25th | $32,720 | −44.8% |
| Median (50th) | $38,900 | −34.4% |
| 75th | $59,060 | −0.4% |
| 90th | $60,930 | +2.8% |
| Mean | $44,990 | −24.1% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in La Crosse run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $38,900 goes as far as $41,339 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,339US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,900 a year, 34.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,970 to $60,930 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sheboygan, at $79,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in La Crosse, WI?
The median annual wage is $38,900, or $18.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,280, so pay in La Crosse, WI is 34.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in La Crosse, WI earns more than $60,930 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,970 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sheboygan, at $79,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 jobs in this occupation in La Crosse, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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