Bartender Salary in La Crosse, WI
Bartenders in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median $23,130 a year — 33% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,361 take-home, or $1,697 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in La Crosse, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$703
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,434
- Medicare (1.45%)$335
- Wisconsin income tax$296
- Take-home pay$20,361
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.50% state
The La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro spans Wisconsin, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Bartender pay by experience in La Crosse, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,070 | $7.73 | $14,791 | $1,233 |
| 25th percentile | $20,930 | $10.06 | $18,626 | $1,552 |
| Median (50th) | $23,130 | $11.12 | $20,361 | $1,697 |
| 75th percentile | $29,110 | $14.00 | $25,064 | $2,089 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,650 | $19.06 | $33,075 | $2,756 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $23,130 buys in La Crosse, WI
Prices in La Crosse, WI are 8.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $20,361 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,187 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
La Crosse, WI has 2.9× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
La Crosse, WI ranks #185 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $86,280 | $64,501 | $58,962 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $75,340 | $57,636 | $51,943 |
| 3 | Kennewick, WA | $55,820 | $47,031 | $46,994 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $56,110 | $47,264 | $45,739 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $58,180 | $48,928 | $44,026 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $61,220 | $48,661 | $43,230 |
| 7 | Bremerton, WA | $53,810 | $45,416 | $43,005 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $54,170 | $43,231 | $42,442 |
| 185 | La Crosse, WI | $23,130 | $20,361 | $22,187 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Bartender salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Sheboygan, WI — $25,720
- Milwaukee, WI — $25,970
- Appleton, WI — $23,330
- Green Bay, WI — $23,380
- Oshkosh, WI — $23,120
- Eau Claire, WI — $22,990
- Wausau, WI — $22,640
- Racine, WI — $22,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in La Crosse, WI?
The median bartender salary in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $23,130 a year, or about $11.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $20,930 and $29,110.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in La Crosse, WI?
On the median $23,130 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $20,361 a year ($1,697 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $296 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is La Crosse, WI a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 33% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 8.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,187 would in a typical U.S. city. La Crosse, WI ranks #185 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in La Crosse, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in La Crosse, WI is $866 a month ($1,131 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in La Crosse, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,460
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,260
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,900
- Waiter and Waitress — $28,380
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,280