Taxi Driver salary in the U.S.
Taxi Drivers in the U.S. earn a median of $42,100 a year ($20.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 41,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,800 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $49,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for taxi drivers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| 25th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Median | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| 75th percentile | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Average (mean) | $49,930 | $24.01 |
Half of taxi drivers 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 | $3,508.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,754.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,619.23 |
| Weekly | $809.62 |
| Hourly | $20.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Taxi Driver salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $48,740 | 460 |
| Nevada | $44,800 | 2,980 |
| Colorado | $43,490 | 60 |
| New York | $41,570 | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $41,510 | 80 |
| California | $39,260 | 3,880 |
| Missouri | $37,560 | 200 |
| Oregon | $37,120 | 240 |
| Maine | $36,960 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $36,950 | 120 |
| Maryland | $36,900 | 50 |
| Illinois | $36,770 | 190 |
| Michigan | $36,670 | 90 |
| Utah | $36,390 | 110 |
| Arizona | $36,120 | 950 |
| Minnesota | $35,710 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,480 | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $35,270 | n/a |
| Kentucky | $33,850 | 150 |
| Georgia | $33,430 | 120 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,620 | 50 |
| Virginia | $28,490 | 190 |
| Florida | $28,060 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $27,820 | 880 |
| Kansas | $26,970 | 60 |
Best-paying metro areas for taxi drivers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $44,800 | 2,960 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $38,020 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,420 | 150 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,770 | 150 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $35,600 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $35,290 | 230 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,000 | 100 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $31,980 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $28,530 | 140 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $27,920 | 70 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $26,300 | 50 |
Metro areas with the most taxi drivers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 2,960 | $44,800 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 230 | $35,290 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 150 | $36,770 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 150 | $37,420 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 140 | $28,530 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 130 | $38,020 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 100 | $35,000 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 70 | $27,920 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 60 | $31,980 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 50 | $26,300 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 40 | $35,600 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,890 | $30.23 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,830 | $17.23 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3054. 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 taxi driver make in the U.S.?
The median salary for taxi drivers in the U.S. is $42,100 a year, or $20.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid taxi drivers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of taxi drivers in the U.S. earn at least $75,800 a year. The top 25% earn $60,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for taxi drivers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,650 a year, and a quarter of taxi drivers earn $37,790 or less.
How many taxi drivers work in the U.S.?
About 41,050 taxi drivers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.