Nurse Practitioner Salary in La Crosse, WI: $129,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in La Crosse, WI earns a median $129,716/year (≈ $62.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $141,351 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the anticipated median salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is projected at $129,716, showcasing a competitive wage compared to national figures of $136,864. This regional number is slightly below the national average, yet aligns closely with local trends, reflecting the area’s specific healthcare demands. Salaries for La Crosse nurse practitioners vary significantly, with a range spanning from $107,216 to $164,227, indicating diverse earning potential depending on experience, specialty, and practice setting. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the area's robust job market and the relative stability of the healthcare sector amidst evolving financial landscapes. The specialty of practice can greatly affect compensation, with psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners likely earning more due to the high demand for mental health services, in contrast to family nurse practitioners or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,216 | $51.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,295 | $52.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,716 | $62.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,558 | $70.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,227 | $78.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,011 (2026 est.). At $129,716, the local median is 5.22% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $129,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $136,113 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -5.22% less |
Nurse Practitioners in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $129,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.22% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $136,113.
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 nurse practitioner earning $129,716 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,351 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,290
2025 BLS Actual
$125,390
2026 Current Est.
$129,716
2019–2027 Growth
+19.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,665 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,753 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 11.7% from $112,290 (2019) to $125,390 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,901 (19.50%) 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 3.45% 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) | $107,216 – $109,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,295 – $129,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,716 – $146,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,558 – $164,227 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in La Crosse
The nursing profession in La Crosse employs approximately 240 nurse practitioners, which indicates a vibrant local job market for advanced practice roles, especially given the region’s cost-of-living index at 91.769—considerably below the national average. This lower cost-of-living allows for greater purchasing power among healthcare workers, despite the small gap in salaries compared to national rates. Among local employers, hospital outpatient clinics often offer the most competitive pay, followed by specialty clinics that require advanced population-focused certifications. Factors influencing the variation in nurse practitioner pay in La Crosse include the focus on different populations (PMHNPs generally earning more than AGACNPs and FNPs), state policies on full-practice authority, and potential bonuses associated with productivity. Those seeking to maximize their earning potential should consider pursuing specialty certifications, exploring telehealth opportunities to supplement their income, and understanding local practice agreements, as these aspects can significantly impact overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
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 $125,390 for nurse practitionersin the La Crosse metropolitan area. A 3.45% 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, 6-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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov