How much does a taxi driver make?
a year · about $20 an hour
A typical taxi driver in the United States makes $42,100 a year, about $20 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Drivers get requests from a dispatcher or wait at taxi stands and other pickup spots. They take passengers where they ask to go and use a meter to calculate the fare.
Did you know? A typical New York City cab travels about 70,000 miles and carries over 10,000 passengers in a year.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $34,650 and $75,800How do you become one?
U.S. drivers usually need no diploma, but must have a regular driver’s license; local rules may require a taxi permit. Short employer training covers safety, streets, and meters, and some places require tests or background checks.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can change with the city, how many hours or busy shifts a driver works, and tips; good service can bring better tips. Drivers may own or lease a cab, and fuel, maintenance, and lease costs affect what they keep.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Texas ($48,740), lowest in Kansas ($26,970).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
In Japan, a taxi driver averages $30,055. Taxi driver salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $34,650 | $42,100 | $75,800 | about 41,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $48,740 | about 460 |
| Nevada | $44,800 | about 3,000 |
| Colorado | $43,490 | about 60 |
| New York | $41,570 | — |
| New Hampshire | $41,510 | about 80 |
Official definition: Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter. Excludes “Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs” (53-3053).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/taxi-drivers-and-chauffeurs.h
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-3054.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/pdf/2014_tlc_factbook.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY