Medical Assistant Salary in La Crosse, WI: $50,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in La Crosse, WI earns a median $50,344/year (≈ $24.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $54,859 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, bilingual medical assistants can expect to command a premium in compensation, significantly influencing the local job market. The projected median annual salary for medical assistants in the area is $50,344, which places La Crosse slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a 4.97% growth rate forecasted for the next five years. The salary range extends from $40,749 at the 10th percentile to $58,458 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse set of opportunities based on skills and experience. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the competitive nature of medical assistant pay in La Crosse, underpinned by a strong demand for healthcare services in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,749 | $19.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,975 | $20.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,344 | $24.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,091 | $26.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,458 | $28.11 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,709 (2026 est.). At $50,344, the local median is 4.97% above the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be above the median
How La Crosse Medical Assistant Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $50,344/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $50,647 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +4.97% more |
Medical Assistants in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $50,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 0.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $50,647.
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 medical assistant earning $50,344 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,859 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,180
2025 BLS Actual
$47,960
2026 Current Est.
$50,344
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 32.6% from $36,180 (2019) to $47,960 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,666 (46.06%) 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 4.97% 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) | $40,749 – $42,975 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,975 – $50,344 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,344 – $54,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,091 – $58,458 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in La Crosse
In terms of job market dynamics, La Crosse employs approximately 570 medical assistants, ensuring a healthy level of employment competition. The cost of living index in the city stands at 91.769, which indicates that the purchasing power for those in medical assistant roles is stronger than in many other areas. Employers in the region, including primary care offices, urgent care chains, and specialty practices, are the top payers, with dermatology and orthopedics offering particularly competitive salaries. Factors contributing to pay discrepancies include the types of practices, bilingual capabilities, lead roles, and credential stacking (such as combining medical assisting with phlebotomy or EKG training). For those looking to maximize their earnings in La Crosse, pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions in high-demand specialties can greatly enhance earning potential in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
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 $47,960 for medical assistantsin the La Crosse metropolitan area. A 4.97% 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 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov