Taxi Drivers
Taxi drivers (including ride-hailing drivers), shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs transport people to and from the places they need to go.
Is taxi drivers a good career?
It scores 25/100 and ranks #221 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+11.1% through 2034)
- High volume of openings — about 22,600 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($42,100 vs $61,390)
What taxi drivers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. taxi drivers earn between $37,790 and $60,960 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live taxi drivers jobs
No live taxi drivers openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified taxi drivers openings will appear here — each shown against the $42,100 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
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- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
Education
Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs typically do not need formal educational credentials to enter the occupation. For drivers who are not self-employed, however, companies may prefer to hire drivers who have a high school diploma or postsecondary education.
Training
Companies that hire taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs typically provide new drivers with a short period of on-the-job training. This training usually takes from 1 day to 2 weeks, depending on the company and the location. Some cities require the training, which typically covers local traffic laws, driver safety, and street layout. Taxi drivers also get training in operating the taximeter and communications equipment.
Ride-hailing drivers typically receive little to no on-the-job training beyond how to work the electronic hailing app so that they can pick up passengers.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
All taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs must have a driver’s license. States and local municipalities set other requirements; check with your state or local agency
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs may need a taxi or limousine license. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires drivers who transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement. Licensure normally requires passing a background check, drug test, driving skills test, and written exam about regulations and local geography.
Regulations for ride-hailing drivers vary by state and city.
Advancement
Some taxi drivers start their own cab service by purchasing a taxi rather than leasing one through a dispatch company. Chauffeurs may advance with increased responsibilities or experiences, such as driving high-profile clients or different types of cars.
Important qualities
Customer-service skills. Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs regularly interact with their passengers and should be courteous and helpful. For ride-hailing drivers, excellent customer-service skills may lead to favorable ratings from passengers.
Dependability. Passengers rely on these drivers to pick them up on time and safely transport them to their destination.
Hand–eye coordination. Drivers must watch their surroundings and avoid obstacles and other hazards while operating a vehicle.
Patience. Drivers must be calm and composed when driving through heavy traffic and congestion or when dealing with rude passengers.
Visual ability. Drivers must be able to pass a state-issued vision test to hold a driver’s license.
Related occupations
How much do taxi drivers make?
The national median wage is $42,100 a year, with the middle half earning between $37,790 and $60,960 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is taxi drivers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 25 of 100 and ranks #221 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +11.1% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a taxi driver?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.
Where do taxi drivers earn the most?
Among states, Texas pays the highest median ($48,740). Local pay for every state and metro is below.