How to become a Taxi Driver
Official title: Taxi Drivers
Also called: Cab Driver, Taxi Cab Driver, Taxi Driver
Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter.
How to become one
Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs typically have no formal educational requirements. They typically get brief on-the-job training. They also may need a special driver's license, such as a taxi or limousine license.
Typical education to start: No formal educational credential
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Licence: A licence is required in 9 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $42,100 a year The middle half earn $37,790 to $60,960.
- About 204,200 people work in this job now, and about 227,700 are projected by 2035. (+11.5%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Taxi Driver?
Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs typically have no formal educational requirements. They typically get brief on-the-job training. They also may need a special driver's license, such as a taxi or limousine license.
How much does a Taxi Driver earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $42,100 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $37,790 to $60,960.
Is a Taxi Driver a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 204,200 to about 227,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Taxi Driver?
Usually not. Only 23% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Taxi Driver?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.