SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — La Crosse
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in La Crosse, WI is $45,890 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in La Crosse, WI is $45,890 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $39,720 and $47,340. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,980 and the ninetieth at $48,700.
Employment stands at 340, or 4.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Eau Claire records the highest median at $60,340. Of the 311 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 227th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,980 | −14.4% |
| 25th | $39,720 | −8.1% |
| Median (50th) | $45,890 | +6.2% |
| 75th | $47,340 | +9.5% |
| 90th | $48,700 | +12.7% |
| Mean | $44,520 | +3.0% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eau Claire | $60,340 | 330 | |
| 2 | Madison | $47,430 | 1,490 | |
| 3 | Sheboygan | $47,120 | 910 | |
| 4 | Janesville | $46,450 | 520 | |
| 5 | Green Bay | $46,220 | 2,110 | |
| 6 | Wausau | $46,030 | 620 | |
| 7 | Milwaukee | $45,980 | 2,190 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $45,900 | 520 | |
| 9 | Racine | $45,750 | 470 | |
| 10 | Appleton | $45,660 | 960 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in La Crosse run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $45,890 goes as far as $48,767 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,767US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,890 a year, 6.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,980 to $48,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Eau Claire, at $60,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in La Crosse, WI?
The median annual wage is $45,890, or $22.06 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 $43,220, so pay in La Crosse, WI is 6.2% higher. 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 $48,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,980 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 Eau Claire, at $60,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 340 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.
Explore related data