Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in La Crosse, Wisconsin (November 2026)
In La Crosse, Wisconsin as of November 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,546 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,442 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,931. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Where La Crosse, Wisconsin differs from the Wisconsin baseline
| La Crosse, Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,546 | $2,159 | +18% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 64% | +7 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 62% | +7 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 90% | 75% | +15 pt |
| Local routes | 0% | 7% | -7 pt |
| Regional routes | 10% | 16% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: La Crosse, Wisconsin sits 18% above the Wisconsin baseline.
La Crosse, Wisconsin CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in La Crosse, Wisconsin this month, pay varies meaningfully by hiring type. The breakdown below shows the average and median weekly pay for each.
| Hiring type | Avg/wk | Median/wk | Active postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,342 | $2,150 | 666 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,594 | $1,550 | 440 |
| Owner Operator | $7,225 | $7,500 | 336 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in La Crosse, Wisconsin
The route mix in La Crosse, Wisconsin this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 90% OTR, 0% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of La Crosse, Wisconsin postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in La Crosse, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated November 2026.