Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in La Crosse, WI: $48,456 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in La Crosse, WI earns a median $48,456/year (≈ $23.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $52,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the projected annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is $48,456 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $49,986. The compensation range in this market stretches from $40,575 at the 10th percentile to $58,521 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in pay depending on experience, specialization, and the type of employer. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reveals the local job market's competitive nature, particularly among corporate chain employers such as VCA and BluePearl, which often implement structured pay scales that influence overall wage trends in La Crosse.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,575 | $19.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,067 | $21.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,456 | $23.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,012 | $25.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,521 | $28.14 |
Median Salary Position
3.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,946 (2026 est.). At $48,456, the local median is 3.06% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $48,456/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $49,445 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -3.06% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $48,456 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $49,445.
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 veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,456 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$33,680
2025 BLS Actual
$45,930
2026 Current Est.
$48,456
2019–2027 Growth
+51.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,401 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,456 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,121 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 36.4% from $33,680 (2019) to $45,930 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,121 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,441 (51.78%) 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 5.50% 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) | $40,575 – $44,067 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,067 – $48,456 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,456 – $52,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,012 – $58,521 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in La Crosse
The local job market consists of about 60 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the area, which, combined with a cost-of-living index of 91.769, suggests that these professionals may enjoy better purchasing power compared to their counterparts in more expensive regions. Those seeking higher pay may find opportunities at specialty referral hospitals or corporate chains that typically compensate more than general practice settings. Earnings can also be influenced by credentials, such as obtaining a VTS specialty designation, which can command higher wages, while taking advantage of shift differentials at 24-hour emergency hospitals adds further potential for income. To maximize earnings in La Crosse, professionals should consider diversifying their skill set or pursuing further specialization, aligning with industry trends that show that VTS credentialing can lead to salaries ranging from $30-$45+/hr.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in La Crosse, WI in 2026?
Is La Crosse, WI a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in La Crosse?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in La Crosse?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in La Crosse?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
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 $45,930 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the La Crosse metropolitan area. A 5.50% 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 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov