Waiters and Waitresses Salary in La Crosse, WI-MN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

Median annual salary $28,960 -14.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.92
10th percentile $16,360
90th percentile $49,070
Employed locally 1,410
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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La Crosse, WI-MN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,360
    25th
    $21,870
    50th (median)
    $28,960
    75th
    $37,270
    90th
    $49,070

    La Crosse economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,009 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 41% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 59% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $46,390
    Lewiston-Auburn, ME $38,740
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $36,590
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $36,290
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900
    Wichita, KS $34,800

    Related occupations in La Crosse, WI-MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,580
    Bartenders $23,850
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,510
    Food Preparation Workers $33,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,890
    Dishwashers $27,690

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in La Crosse?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in La Crosse, WI-MN is $13.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.55 or more per hour.

    Is La Crosse above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in La Crosse, WI-MN is 14.2% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in La Crosse?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $16,360 per year in La Crosse, WI-MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,870.