Veterinarian Salary in La Crosse, WI: $111,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in La Crosse, WI earns a median $111,081/year (≈ $53.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $121,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in La Crosse, Wisconsin, anticipate a median annual salary of $111,081, significantly below the national average of $137,334. This range spans from $88,238 at the lower tenth percentile to $162,531 at the upper ninetieth percentile, showcasing a notable spectrum of compensation. These estimates are grounded in 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to the current year. The local market is shaped by a blend of general practice and specialty roles; those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care typically command a premium, influencing earnings and employment opportunities significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,238 | $42.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,008 | $50.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,081 | $53.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,391 | $65.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,531 | $78.14 |
Median Salary Position
19.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,293 (2026 est.). At $111,081, the local median is 19.12% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Veterinarian Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $111,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $113,929 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -19.12% less |
Veterinarians in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $111,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.12% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $113,929.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $111,081 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,530
2025 BLS Actual
$105,230
2026 Current Est.
$111,081
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,257 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 32.3% from $79,530 (2019) to $105,230 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,257 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,727 (47.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $88,238 – $104,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,008 – $111,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,081 – $135,391 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,391 – $162,531 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in La Crosse
Examining the job market in La Crosse reveals about 30 veterinarians currently practicing in the area, creating a competitive environment for employment. The cost of living index stands at 91.769, offering a favorable context for take-home pay. Corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl hold around 25% of the market, often able to provide higher salaries compared to independent practices. High earnings are typically associated with specialty roles and partnerships; however, various factors drive disparities in income. For instance, veterinarians with ownership stakes can reap greater financial rewards, while production-based compensation models further influence earnings. New graduates may find enticing sign-on bonuses between $50,000 and $150,000 due to regional shortages. To maximize pay in La Crosse, aspiring veterinarians may consider specializing or enhancing their skills to fit the growing demand in this evolving industry.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $105,230 for veterinariansin the La Crosse metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov