Taxi Driver salary in Illinois
Taxi Drivers in Illinois earn a median of $36,770 a year ($17.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,390 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $42,100. Illinois ranks 12th of 24 states for taxi drivers pay. There are 0.03 taxi drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.12). The average (mean) salary is $37,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for taxi drivers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Median | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| 75th percentile | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| Average (mean) | $37,880 | $18.21 |
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 | $3,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,414.23 |
| Weekly | $707.12 |
| Hourly | $17.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Taxi Driver salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,770 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for taxi drivers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $48,740 |
| Nevada | $44,800 |
| Colorado | $43,490 |
| New York | $41,570 |
| New Hampshire | $41,510 |
| California | $39,260 |
| Missouri | $37,560 |
| Oregon | $37,120 |
| Maine | $36,960 |
| North Carolina | $36,950 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for taxi drivers in Illinois is $36,770 a year, or $17.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid taxi drivers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of taxi drivers in Illinois earn at least $44,390 a year. The top 25% earn $43,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for taxi drivers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of taxi drivers earn $34,910 or less.
How many taxi drivers work in Illinois?
About 190 taxi drivers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.