Recreation Worker salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Recreation Workers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median of $34,980 a year ($16.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,270 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 2% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $35,530. There are 3.4 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,660 | $10.90 |
| 25th percentile | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| Median | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 75th percentile | $38,160 | $18.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Average (mean) | $35,230 | $16.94 |
Half of recreation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,457.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,345.38 |
| Weekly | $672.69 |
| Hourly | $16.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $40,050 | 180 |
| Kenosha, WI | $38,620 | 140 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $38,180 | 4,960 |
| Wausau, WI | $38,030 | 80 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $37,460 | 160 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $37,420 | 90 |
| Rochester, MN | $37,280 | 230 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $37,190 | 230 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $36,840 | 240 |
| Mankato, MN | $36,440 | 190 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $36,080 | 500 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,950 | 1,680 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $35,600 | 300 |
| Green Bay, WI | $35,540 | 640 |
| Appleton, WI | $35,390 | 290 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $34,620 | 130 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $34,580 | 210 |
| Madison, WI | $34,030 | 970 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $32,190 | 190 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $22,980 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for recreation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 |
| Washington | $44,890 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 |
| California | $39,780 |
| Oregon | $39,610 |
| Colorado | $38,820 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 |
| New York | $38,040 |
| Alaska | $37,510 |
See Recreation Worker pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,730 | $14.77 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,110 | $14.47 |
| Animal Caretaker | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Skincare Specialist | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,690 | $12.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median salary for recreation workers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $34,980 a year, or $16.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn at least $49,270 a year. The top 25% earn $38,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,660 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $28,220 or less.
How many recreation workers work in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
About 280 recreation workers are employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.