OR Travel Nurse Salary in La Crosse, Wisconsin
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to La Crosse.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (OR)
$51/hr
La Crosse, WI
Total Weekly Package
$3,254
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,610
After ~31.65% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR in La Crosse
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Wisconsin OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,036
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$105,891
Tax estimate: 7.65% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your OR Pay in La Crosse
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for La Crosse's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 7.65% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$74.53
Based on 36 hours in WI.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,683
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,584
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$501
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,182
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,362
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,723
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$113,447
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,182
per week
Taxes
$501
per week
Total Gross: $2,683 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Wisconsin
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Milwaukee:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Wisconsin
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Wisconsin's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.9 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — La Crosse
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in La Crosse. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for OR Travel Nurses in Wisconsin
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Wisconsin Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in La Crosse
- Gundersen Health
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Winona Health
Other Specialties in La Crosse
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Wisconsin Cities for OR Travel Nurses
Appleton
~$45/hr OR
COL: 95
Eau Claire
~$45/hr OR
COL: 95
Madison
~$54/hr OR
COL: 102.5
Milwaukee
~$51/hr OR
COL: 95.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do OR travel nurses make in La Crosse?
Operating Room travel nurses in La Crosse earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,036/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,254. Annual potential is $105,891 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for La Crosse?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for La Crosse are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is La Crosse affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in La Crosse is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Wisconsin assignments?
Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Wisconsin specifically: Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in La Crosse without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in La Crosse hire OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in La Crosse that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: Gundersen Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, Winona Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in La Crosse.
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