La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

In the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $23,700 ($11.39/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,500/year and the 90th was $38,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Minnesota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $20,678 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$23,700$11.39 per hour · $1,975 monthly
10th Percentile$21,500$10.34/hr base
25th Percentile$21,700$10.43/hr base
75th Percentile$29,700$14.28/hr base
90th Percentile$38,900$18.70/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$23,700
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$23,700
Net 87%
Fed 3%
MN 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$20,678After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,723Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$795Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$760 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$449 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,813 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Waiters and Waitresses in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MN)
10th Percentile$10.34/hr$1,792$21,500$18,984
25th Percentile$10.43/hr$1,808$21,700$19,138
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.39/hr$1,975$23,700$20,678
75th Percentile$14.28/hr$2,475$29,700$25,274
90th Percentile$18.70/hr$3,242$38,900$32,174

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$23,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$73,340Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.88.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio32.3%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Minnesota:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN is $23,700, which equates to approximately $1,975 per month or $11.39 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN is $11.39 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.34/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.70/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN span from $21,500 at the 10th percentile to $21,700 at the 25th, $29,700 at the 75th, and $38,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?

On a median gross salary of $23,700, an estimated $20,678 lands in net take-home pay per year ($795 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Minnesota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,022 (an effective rate of 12.8%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?

On the median annual salary of $23,700, gross monthly income is $1,975. After federal, FICA, and Minnesota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,723 per month (or $795 every two weeks).

Is $23,700 a good salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?

At $23,700, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 32.3% of the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN median household income ($73,340). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.8, making regional consumer goods and services 8.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.