Light Truck Driver Salary in La Crosse, WI
Light Truck Drivers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median $46,510 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,285 take-home, or $3,190 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in La Crosse, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,401
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,884
- Medicare (1.45%)$674
- Wisconsin income tax$1,265
- Take-home pay$38,285
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
The La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro spans Wisconsin, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in La Crosse, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,170 | $14.50 | $25,875 | $2,156 |
| 25th percentile | $39,540 | $19.01 | $32,992 | $2,749 |
| Median (50th) | $46,510 | $22.36 | $38,285 | $3,190 |
| 75th percentile | $52,640 | $25.31 | $42,941 | $3,578 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,950 | $34.59 | $57,014 | $4,751 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,510 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 light truck driver's $38,285 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,719 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Light Truck Driver jobs are about as common in La Crosse, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
La Crosse, WI ranks #16 of 265 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga, TN | $49,990 | $42,347 | $46,299 |
| 2 | Anchorage, AK | $57,250 | $48,180 | $45,703 |
| 3 | Hagerstown, MD | $53,190 | $42,755 | $45,402 |
| 4 | Memphis, TN | $48,350 | $41,029 | $44,510 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $47,170 | $40,081 | $44,108 |
| 6 | Jackson, TN | $43,660 | $37,261 | $43,569 |
| 7 | Decatur, IL | $47,660 | $38,260 | $43,270 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $46,330 | $37,746 | $43,073 |
| 16 | La Crosse, WI | $46,510 | $38,285 | $41,719 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 265 metros →
Light Truck Driver salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Oshkosh, WI — $48,220
- Wausau, WI — $45,560
- Green Bay, WI — $45,100
- Eau Claire, WI — $44,400
- Madison, WI — $46,120
- Milwaukee, WI — $45,790
- Appleton, WI — $43,120
- Racine, WI — $43,490
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in La Crosse, WI?
The median light truck driver salary in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $46,510 a year, or about $22.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,540 and $52,640.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in La Crosse, WI?
On the median $46,510 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $38,285 a year ($3,190 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,265 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is La Crosse, WI a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 8.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,719 would in a typical U.S. city. La Crosse, WI ranks #16 of 265 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver 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) — 27% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in La Crosse, WI
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,300
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $44,620
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $42,800
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,150