City Town Info

La Crosse Employment

Employment and Industries in the La Crosse, Wisconsin Area

La Crosse is the international headquarters of notable companies including Kwik Trip, Badger Corrugating Company, Trane, City Brewing Company, La Cross Technology and Michaels Engineering.

The major industries in La Crosse are manufacturing, educational services, health care, and accommodation and food services. La Crosse includes industries such as heating and air conditioning systems, textiles and lumber processing. Trane produces water chillers for commercial air conditioning products at the La Crosse facility and is a major employer. In addition, La Crosse is a regional commercial center.

The major fields of employment in La Crosse, Wisconsin are healthcare, accommodation and food services, educational services, machinery, construction and the government. Sales and office occupations (28% of the jobs). Management, professional and related occupations (27% of the labor force).

Noteworthy information about La Crosse, Wisconsin: La Crosse has been ranked as the fourth best small city for doing business by Inc magazine. Cost of living index in 2008: 80.3 (U.S. average: 100). Adult population which has earned a bachelor's degree or higher: 24%. Estimated median household income in 2007: $38,000.

The Lacrosse region's major job providers:

  • Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center
  • Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
  • Trane
  • School District of La Crosse
  • La Crosse County
  • University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
  • Kwik Trip
  • CenturyTel
  • Walmart
  • City of La Crosse
  • Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc
  • Logistics Health Incorporated
  • Dairlyland Power Cooperative
  • Bethany-St. Joseph Corp
  • Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc
  • WalzCraft Industries, Inc
  • BNSF Railway Company
  • Fort McCoy
  • La Crosse County
  • University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Some of the occupations that are more prevalent in La Crosse when compared to most other cities are biological scientists, cutting and slicing machine setters, pre-press technicians and workers, mechanical drafters, tool and die makers, medical and public health social workers, printing machine operators and surgical technologists.

Associations offering assistance to local businesses include:

The La Crosse Tribune offers details about local business and industry.

Most Popular Jobs in La Crosse, Wisconsin Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses2,76063,430$47,490 - 80,87024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products88051,780$29,090 - 79,7008%51%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education84045,790$29,430 - 65,0206%96%
4Elementary school teachers, except special education68041,950$23,870 - 61,39014%95%
5Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education57049,940$32,600 - 72,91011%95%
6Accountants and auditors45060,080$35,600 - 77,47018%79%
7Social and human service assistants36028,620$19,590 - 38,86034%58%
8Medical and health services managers22080,520$54,690 - 106,28016%57%
9Child, family, and school social workers22046,060$31,930 - 60,73019%77%
10Computer programmers21061,500$31,300 - 109,5100%73%
11Sales managers21082,960$44,930 - 156,74010%69%
12Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other19031,720$25,690 - 38,99015%72%
13Managers, all other19071,960$45,210 - 97,7307%55%
14Medical and public health social workers19047,260$36,970 - 60,20024%77%
15Coaches and scouts18021,740$14,350 - 37,27015%60%
16Pharmacists170109,220$90,510 - 131,79022%97%
17Financial managers16074,710$42,070 - 115,08013%60%
18Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other14034,670$14,100 - 64,80017%56%
19Biological scientists, all other14054,060$41,740 - 66,4704%95%
20Computer systems analysts14060,790$44,210 - 82,96029%68%
21Computer software engineers, applications14070,300$45,390 - 101,32045%85%
22Social and community service managers13049,170$23,520 - 78,69025%72%
23Graphic designers13034,250$23,820 - 43,06010%55%
24Physical therapists13070,960$56,700 - 84,29027%89%
25Advertising sales agents12038,670$15,440 - 60,65020%56%
26Community and social service specialists, all other12031,390$19,190 - 41,99025%58%
27Network and computer systems administrators12052,170$34,850 - 75,16027%50%
28Lawyers12097,000$33,440 - 11%99%
29Management analysts12073,210$46,250 - 97,34022%78%
30Training and development specialists10044,780$23,180 - 64,56018%56%
31Chief executives100161,490$89,970 - 2%65%
32Occupational therapists9059,290$46,090 - 74,72023%90%
33Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors9047,850$41,790 - 54,23034%73%
34Education administrators, elementary and secondary school9081,560$68,530 - 103,4208%78%
35Electronics engineers, except computer9065,860$54,710 - 90,3004%81%
36Educational, vocational, and school counselors9051,090$32,710 - 76,23013%73%
37Computer and information systems managers9082,400$53,530 - 109,06016%73%
38Computer software engineers, systems software8066,100$40,590 - 95,52028%85%
39Clergy80 $ - 19%75%
40Public relations specialists8041,630$28,350 - 64,67018%81%
41Marketing managers70102,630$35,360 - 14%69%
42Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation7050,490$29,240 - 71,9505%58%
43Legislators70 $ - 1%65%
44Civil engineers7062,920$50,120 - 78,82018%87%
45Electrical engineers7072,910$39,010 - 101,7806%81%
46Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists6049,860$34,590 - 71,63018%56%
47Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists6045,150$28,160 - 72,38018%56%
48Librarians6050,490$38,940 - 66,4704%85%
49Network systems and data communications analysts6050,720$19,560 - 78,61053%57%
50Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school6045,050$34,550 - 59,98020%87%
51Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products5058,780$27,460 - 91,71012%51%
52Recreational therapists5038,030$20,910 - 51,3704%77%
53Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists5059,630$34,440 - 86,52016%99%
54Personal financial advisors5071,020$30,550 - 152,90041%81%
55Floral designers4023,680$21,420 - 26,5100%55%
56Speech-language pathologists4057,270$40,100 - 75,37011%98%
57Veterinarians4082,970$59,800 - 125,39035%100%
58Public relations managers4081,190$43,040 - 121,44017%75%
59Medical and clinical laboratory technologists3055,560$45,960 - 64,78012%51%
60Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program3030,480$23,280 - 39,46024%78%
61Instructional coordinators3057,310$27,190 - 97,88023%79%
62Rehabilitation counselors3036,060$26,720 - 51,71023%73%
63Engineering managers3091,530$62,300 - 125,8807%84%
64Dietitians and nutritionists3047,290$33,470 - 61,5109%72%
65Purchasing managers3054,330$24,980 - 92,4103%57%
66Physician assistants3085,080$69,620 - 110,32027%67%
67Human resources managers, all other3095,820$30,340 - 11%58%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,86024,680$14,690 - 42,23012%25%
2Cashiers1,88018,240$14,360 - 24,040-2%10%
3Office clerks, general1,73026,420$17,980 - 35,13013%19%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,53016,810$14,360 - 20,59018%5%
5Waiters and waitresses1,51017,930$14,380 - 28,20011%14%
6Customer service representatives1,32028,540$18,120 - 41,60025%22%
7Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,27025,220$16,120 - 34,93015%4%
8Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,18025,680$21,350 - 31,98018%7%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,06024,400$15,570 - 36,9602%5%
10Stock clerks and order fillers1,04021,740$14,740 - 32,360-7%8%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,00030,550$20,070 - 41,76013%16%
12Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer87036,810$27,470 - 49,74010%4%
13Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive74028,750$21,710 - 37,2501%18%
14Receptionists and information clerks72023,530$15,350 - 36,95017%13%
15Maids and housekeeping cleaners67018,380$14,450 - 24,98013%5%
16Bartenders64018,350$14,790 - 23,33011%17%
17Truck drivers, light or delivery services64031,490$17,050 - 54,0908%4%
18First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers63040,280$22,210 - 61,8404%25%
19General and operations managers63089,620$48,180 - 139,5402%48%
20Executive secretaries and administrative assistants60033,460$22,380 - 47,22015%18%
21Maintenance and repair workers, general55031,180$18,470 - 45,42010%6%
22First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers53045,160$26,400 - 63,7306%29%
23Landscaping and groundskeeping workers49025,030$16,590 - 33,84018%6%
24Carpenters48037,640$25,300 - 57,67010%6%
25Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses47038,650$30,280 - 48,96014%7%
26Teacher assistants46024,150$17,670 - 31,47010%18%
27Team assemblers46031,700$20,350 - 46,3900%5%
28Business operations specialists, all other46051,550$36,940 - 75,17021%49%
29Food servers, nonrestaurant45021,740$16,740 - 28,66016%9%
30Tellers44026,200$20,170 - 31,83014%16%
31Cooks, restaurant43022,100$17,240 - 27,87012%5%
32Cooks, institution and cafeteria42023,390$16,130 - 31,27011%5%
33Personal and home care aides42021,090$17,300 - 25,35051%10%
34Industrial truck and tractor operators41030,860$21,470 - 39,890-1%2%
35First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers40052,760$31,930 - 70,580-4%15%
36Home health aides37022,790$17,030 - 31,18049%7%
37First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers36029,490$16,940 - 48,50011%14%
38Automotive service technicians and mechanics33036,300$22,520 - 58,31014%4%
39Bus drivers, school33026,370$17,850 - 37,5309%4%
40Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders32033,290$22,710 - 39,850-4%5%
41Medical assistants31027,890$20,160 - 36,51035%10%
42Construction laborers31031,290$16,760 - 48,88011%5%
43Billing and posting clerks and machine operators29031,510$22,830 - 40,9704%15%
44Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists29022,760$14,900 - 32,22012%6%
45Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28028,710$19,420 - 40,0904%6%
46Food preparation workers27018,700$14,650 - 24,72015%7%
47Dishwashers27017,040$14,500 - 20,56010%3%
48Cooks, short order27022,180$15,340 - 29,7105%5%
49Printing machine operators27032,530$21,710 - 47,910-5%6%
50Healthcare support workers, all other26025,570$15,310 - 32,74016%10%
51Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers26028,390$18,810 - 39,900-6%14%
52Driver/sales workers24028,930$15,240 - 49,840-4%4%
53Electricians24055,720$37,590 - 71,5507%7%
54Data entry keyers24023,330$17,370 - 30,830-4%18%
55Emergency medical technicians and paramedics23026,910$15,210 - 38,89019%14%
56Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters23052,500$36,310 - 68,09011%4%
57Child care workers23019,150$14,740 - 24,06018%15%
58Pharmacy technicians23025,960$19,180 - 32,55032%16%
59Recreation workers22023,200$16,420 - 32,89013%47%
60Sales representatives, services, all other21043,980$23,020 - 76,55028%48%
61Packers and packagers, hand21018,700$14,430 - 25,630-11%3%
62Police and sheriff's patrol officers20048,080$37,040 - 61,78011%33%
63Preschool teachers, except special education20021,570$17,060 - 27,60026%43%
64Amusement and recreation attendants20020,400$14,730 - 25,04024%22%
65Security guards20024,650$15,690 - 38,71017%13%
66Electrical and electronic engineering technicians19045,280$31,250 - 61,5304%18%
67Insurance claims and policy processing clerks19035,050$21,790 - 49,7700%22%
68Dental assistants19032,510$27,240 - 39,69029%9%
69Loan officers19050,440$27,670 - 86,74012%49%
70Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18019,210$16,210 - 24,39017%14%
71Bill and account collectors18030,890$21,270 - 39,97023%13%
72Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic18025,150$17,260 - 33,810-14%0%
73Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers18017,840$14,600 - 23,46012%6%
74Dental hygienists17058,910$50,600 - 68,41030%33%
75Computer support specialists17039,690$24,640 - 52,88013%43%
76First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers17051,700$26,760 - 80,2007%13%
77Parts salespersons17034,020$23,130 - 46,450-1%6%
78Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors17018,990$16,430 - 23,09027%47%
79Postal service mail carriers160 1%11%
80Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16017,570$14,670 - 20,84010%17%
81Counter and rental clerks16023,520$14,830 - 40,23023%16%
82Fire fighters15041,930$22,430 - 54,17012%18%
83Production workers, all other15024,080$17,170 - 31,9702%5%
84All other information and record clerks15022,430$14,770 - 37,350-12%21%
85First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers15053,480$36,590 - 71,1509%10%
86Cement masons and concrete finishers14036,990$27,180 - 49,45011%2%
87Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists14039,680$28,670 - 51,05012%3%
88Helpers--production workers14024,440$16,670 - 31,1700%4%
89Cooks, fast food14016,500$14,360 - 20,0908%5%
90Food service managers14036,280$21,950 - 52,2205%24%
91Cleaners of vehicles and equipment14019,490$14,680 - 28,37014%3%
92Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders14029,450$21,680 - 39,520-4%4%
93Medical secretaries13032,100$23,620 - 41,53017%18%
94Order clerks13026,690$18,580 - 38,230-23%16%
95Cost estimators13050,020$32,030 - 77,19019%32%
96Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers13046,710$34,500 - 61,1609%3%
97First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers12030,570$22,670 - 41,91016%26%
98Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products12054,800$30,050 - 86,3600%36%
99Respiratory therapists12051,740$42,410 - 63,79023%28%
100Surgical technologists120 25%16%
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La Crosse property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near La Crosse Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Biological scientists, all other54,06014014.3
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other31,7201908.3
Food servers, nonrestaurant21,7404505.2
Cooks, short order22,1802703.9
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders33,0501003.9
Prepress technicians and workers34,3801003.7
Mechanical drafters43,3501103.4
Tool and die makers38,4301103.2
Medical and public health social workers47,2601903.1
Healthcare support workers, all other25,5702603.1
Printing machine operators32,5302703
Surgical technologists 1203
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics26,9102302.9
Cooks, institution and cafeteria23,3904202.8
Bartenders18,3506402.8
Respiratory therapists51,7401202.7
Community and social service specialists, all other31,3901202.6
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders29,4501402.5
Social and human service assistants28,6203602.5
Social and community service managers49,1701302.4
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians45,2801902.4
Coaches and scouts21,7401802.4
Registered nurses63,4302,7602.3
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders33,2903202.2
Dental hygienists58,9101702.1
Personal and home care aides21,0904202
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education49,9405702
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers30,5701202
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products54,8001201.9
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education45,7908401.9
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants25,6801,1801.9
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,2101801.9
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic25,1501801.8
Child, family, and school social workers46,0602201.8
Amusement and recreation attendants20,4002001.8
Medical and health services managers80,5202201.8
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic40,9901001.8
Data entry keyers23,3302401.8
Automotive body and related repairers37,4401201.8
Bus drivers, school26,3703301.8
Recreation workers23,2002201.8
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks35,0501901.7
Parts salespersons34,0201701.7
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists22,7602901.7
Tellers26,2004401.7
Physical therapists70,9601301.7
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers19,5501101.7
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,3806701.6
Bakers26,2001001.6
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors18,9901701.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders33,2901.27320
Electricians55,7201.19240
Team assemblers31,7001.16460
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers46,7101.14130
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters52,5001.14230
Child, family, and school social workers46,0601.13220
Parts salespersons34,0201.11170
Cooks, short order22,1801.11270
Tellers26,2001.11440
Medical secretaries32,1001.11130
Driver/sales workers28,9301.1240
Amusement and recreation attendants20,4001.1200
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners25,2201.11,270
Truck drivers, light or delivery services31,4901.09640
Teacher assistants24,1501.08460
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products54,8001.08120
Food servers, nonrestaurant21,7401.08450
Home health aides22,7901.07370
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants25,6801.071,180
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks35,0501.06190
Personal and home care aides21,0901.06420
Pharmacists109,2201.04170
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators44,5301.04110
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers40,2801.04630
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31,5101.04290
Office clerks, general26,4201.041,730
Helpers--production workers24,4401.03140
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers25,0301.03490
Registered nurses63,4301.032,760
Medical and public health social workers47,2601.03190
Industrial truck and tractor operators30,8601.03410
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,8401.03180
Cooks, restaurant22,1001.02430
Retail salespersons24,6801.012,860
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand24,4001.011,060
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators52,4701.01110
Counter and rental clerks23,5201.01160
Social and human service assistants28,6201.01360
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists39,6801.01140
Bus drivers, school26,3701.01330
Dental assistants32,5101.01190
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28,7101.01280
Construction laborers31,2901.01310
Accountants and auditors60,0801.01450
Bill and account collectors30,8901180
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers45,1601530
Automotive service technicians and mechanics36,3001330
Respiratory therapists51,7401120
Cement masons and concrete finishers36,9901140
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers52,7601400

Highest Paying Jobs in La Crosse, Wisconsin Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Family and general practitioners183,05060
Physicians and surgeons, all other180,610 
Chief executives161,490100
Pharmacists109,220170
Marketing managers102,63070
Lawyers97,000120
Human resources managers, all other95,82030
Engineering managers91,53030
General and operations managers89,620630
Construction managers87,22030
Physician assistants85,08030
Financial analysts83,410 
Veterinarians82,97040
Sales managers82,960210
Computer and information systems managers82,40090
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school81,56090
Public relations managers81,19040
Medical and health services managers80,520220
Industrial production managers75,28070
Financial managers74,710160
Management analysts73,210120
Electrical engineers72,91070
Managers, all other71,960190
Personal financial advisors71,02050
Physical therapists70,960130
Logisticians70,680 
Computer software engineers, applications70,300140
Computer software engineers, systems software66,10080
Electronics engineers, except computer65,86090
Administrative services managers65,45060
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers65,01070
Registered nurses63,4302,760
Property, real estate, and community association managers63,20030
Civil engineers62,92070
Mechanical engineers62,860 
Industrial engineers62,380 
Brickmasons and blockmasons62,19060
Computer programmers61,500210
Computer specialists, all other60,960 
Computer systems analysts60,790140
Market research analysts60,500 
Accountants and auditors60,080450
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists59,63050
Occupational therapists59,29090
Engineers, all other59,240 
Dental hygienists58,910170
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products58,78050
Instructional coordinators57,31030
Speech-language pathologists57,27040
Electricians55,720240

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