Taxi Driver Salary
Taxi Drivers earn a median $42,100 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What taxi drivers do
Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.5% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 20,400
- Self-employed
- 87%
Employment of taxi drivers is projected to grow 11.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 20,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Taxi Driver take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,872
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,610
- Medicare (1.45%)$610
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,007
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,650 | $16.66 | $30,021 |
| 25th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 | $32,544 |
| Median (50th) | $42,100 | $20.24 | $36,007 |
| 75th percentile | $60,960 | $29.31 | $51,161 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,800 | $36.44 | $62,155 |
Best cities for taxi drivers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $44,800 | $38,177 | $38,095 | 2,960 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Las Vegas, NV — $44,800
Taxi Driver salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $48,740 | +36.9% | $41,343 | $33,300 – $60,470 | 460 |
| Nevada | $44,800 | −8.7% | $38,177 | $33,710 – $76,610 | 2,980 |
| Colorado | $43,490 | — | $35,919 | $36,980 – $69,030 | 60 |
| New York | $41,570 | +2.3% | $33,934 | $35,470 – $42,100 | — |
| New Hampshire | $41,510 | +24.3% | $35,533 | $27,650 – $41,600 | 80 |
| California | $39,260 | +2.0% | $32,655 | $39,050 – $39,260 | 3,880 |
| Missouri | $37,560 | +2.5% | $31,531 | $28,600 – $38,020 | 200 |
| Oregon | $37,120 | +3.9% | $29,588 | $30,790 – $53,920 | 240 |
| Maine | $36,960 | +9.6% | $30,525 | $34,380 – $47,570 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $36,950 | +6.2% | $30,904 | $31,410 – $43,390 | 120 |
| Maryland | $36,900 | +5.6% | $30,440 | $32,820 – $64,790 | 50 |
| Illinois | $36,770 | +26.3% | $30,049 | $31,200 – $44,390 | 190 |
| Michigan | $36,670 | — | $30,337 | $31,660 – $42,650 | 90 |
| Utah | $36,390 | +33.0% | $30,748 | $24,600 – $41,250 | 110 |
| Arizona | $36,120 | +15.3% | $30,508 | $34,580 – $54,960 | 950 |
| Minnesota | $35,710 | −3.1% | $29,781 | $30,250 – $39,430 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,480 | +14.6% | $29,599 | $26,470 – $45,750 | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $35,270 | +10.4% | $28,976 | $32,830 – $37,440 | — |
| Kentucky | $33,850 | +18.7% | $28,311 | $28,290 – $44,960 | 150 |
| Georgia | $33,430 | — | $27,929 | $29,360 – $48,690 | 120 |
| Virginia | $28,490 | +0.3% | $24,247 | $26,270 – $60,070 | 190 |
| Florida | $28,060 | +2.6% | $24,717 | $28,020 – $36,190 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $27,820 | +9.4% | $24,059 | $23,600 – $36,210 | 880 |
| Kansas | $26,970 | +8.5% | $23,081 | $20,640 – $41,600 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur | $37,290 | No formal educational credential | +7.1% |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,920 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.7% |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $59,050 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.1% |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,860 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.3% |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.9% |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $37,180 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $58,640 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.8% |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | No formal educational credential | +2.7% |
| Conveyor Operator and Tender | $42,420 | No formal educational credential | -2.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi driver make?
The national median salary for taxi drivers is $42,100 a year ($20.24 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,650 and the top 10% earn over $75,800. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays taxi drivers the most?
Texas has the highest median pay at $48,740. After taxes and local prices, Las Vegas, NV offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many taxi drivers are there in the U.S.?
About 41,050 people work as taxi drivers nationwide.