Taxi Drivers
Overview
Introduction
Taxi drivers, also known as cab drivers, operate automobiles and other motor vehicles to take passengers from one place to another for a fee. This fee is usually based on distance traveled or time as recorded on a taximeter. There are currently about 50,250 people who work in the taxi and limousine service industry in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Earnings for taxi drivers vary widely, depending on the number of hours they work, the method by which they are paid, the season, the weather, and other factors. Median hourly earnings of salaried taxi drivers and chauffeurs, including tips, were $15.14 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This translates to about $31,490 annually for full-time work. Hourly wages for all pass...
Work Environment
Many taxi drivers put in long hours, working from eight to 12 hours a day, five or six days a week. They do not receive overtime pay. Approximately 20 percent of drivers work part time. Drivers may work Sundays, holidays, or evening hours.
Taxi drivers must be able to get along with their passengers, including those who try their patience or expect too much. Some people urge drivers to d...
Outlook
There will always be a need for taxi drivers. One speed bump to job growth, however, has been the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, which has disrupted most businesses, with lockdowns, travel restrictions, and event cancellations around the world. As fewer people are traveling, the demand for taxis and limousines has diminished. On a positive note, this slowdown should reverse within the next year ...
