DriftlessWorkforce Group
Quarterly Report · October 2026

Coulee Region Industrial Hiring Report

Hiring activity, hard-to-fill positions and pay rates for manufacturing, warehouse and maintenance jobs within 25 miles of La Crosse.

Summary

500+Open job postings within 25 miles of La Crosse, October 12, 2026
3.0%Unemployment rate, La Crosse–Onalaska metro, August 2026 (preliminary)
172–196Days open for the six longest-listed plant postings

Key findings

Skilled trades take the longest to fill

Of 135 postings reviewed, 10 had been open more than 90 days. The six longest-open were maintenance, CNC machining, welding and material handling positions.

Trade wages are near the national average

The metro’s average wage across all occupations is 10% below the U.S. average. Installation, maintenance and repair occupations average $30.27 an hour locally, compared with $30.44 nationally.

Employers are hiring trainees

Six machining postings were open to entry-level candidates.

Off-shift schedules are common

Open postings include 2nd-shift, 3rd-shift, weekend and rotating 12-hour schedules.

Job postings by keyword

Job postings by keyword: Maintenance 145; Production 141; Warehouse 86; Forklift 49; CDL 39; Machinist 26; CNC 25; Mechanic 11; Welder 7; Custodian 7; Electrician 4; Assembler 2.Maintenance145Production141Warehouse86Forklift49CDL39Machinist26CNC25Mechanic11Welder7Custodian7Electrician4Assembler2
Source: Job Center of Wisconsin, October 12, 2026.

Pay by occupation

Median hourly wages, La Crosse–Onalaska metro.

Median hourly wage and 10th to 90th percentile range by occupation, La Crosse-Onalaska metro, May 2025: Electricians $37.87 ($22 to $52); Production supervisors $34.19 ($24 to $47); Industrial machinery mechanics $31.03 ($24 to $47); Machinists $30.27 ($18 to $39); Heavy truck drivers $28.99 ($23 to $39); Welders and brazers $28.27 ($23 to $38); CNC tool operators $26.15 ($20 to $33); Maintenance and repair, general $25.56 ($18 to $34); Assemblers and fabricators $22.18 ($18 to $29); Packaging machine operators $22.06 ($18 to $23); Forklift operators $21.45 ($19 to $27); Hand laborers and material movers $20.58 ($15 to $27); Janitors and cleaners $17.37 ($14 to $22); Stockers and order fillers $16.42 ($14 to $23).Median10th to 90th percentileMedianRangeElectricians$37.87$22–$52Production supervisors$34.19$24–$47Industrial machinery mechanics$31.03$24–$47Machinists$30.27$18–$39Heavy truck drivers$28.99$23–$39Welders and brazers$28.27$23–$38CNC tool operators$26.15$20–$33Maintenance and repair, general$25.56$18–$34Assemblers and fabricators$22.18$18–$29Packaging machine operators$22.06$18–$23Forklift operators$21.45$19–$27Hand laborers and material movers$20.58$15–$27Janitors and cleaners$17.37$14–$22Stockers and order fillers$16.42$14–$23
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Longest-open postings

Longest-open postings, October 12, 2026
PositionShiftPostedDays open
Maintenance technician—March 30, 2026196
CNC lathe machinist / machine operator3rd shiftApril 15, 2026180
CNC lathe machinist / machine operator2nd shiftApril 15, 2026180
Welder—April 23, 2026172
Gas welder / brazer—April 23, 2026172
Material handler—April 23, 2026172

Source: Job Center of Wisconsin, October 12, 2026.

Sources

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