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How much do taxi drivers earn per hour in the US: What is the average salary?

The career has taken a battering after the introduction of cab-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft joined the market.

A taxi drives along a salted road following a storm in New York.
BloombergGetty

The average salary of a US taxi driver varies depending on a number of factors, including location, hours worked, and whether the driver is self-employed or working for a taxi company.

Additionally, the rise of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft has had an impact on the taxi industry, and some taxi drivers have reported decreased earnings due to increased competition.

What is the average salary?

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for taxi drivers and chauffeurs in the US is $30,050. This works out at around $14.50 an hour.

Taxi drivers earn much lower than the average salary in the US. It is important to note that this is just a median figure, and individual taxi drivers may earn more or less than this depending on their specific circumstances. Some drivers may work longer hours or be able to command higher rates, while others may struggle to find enough fares to make a living wage.

However, the average salary is very dependant on the location the tax driver is working. For example, a worker in New York is over $44,000 while in Montana it is $23,990.

For a comparison, the average wage of an Uber driver in the US is $36,270. However, Uber drivers are not classed as employees but as independent contractors. This means the company does not have to abide by usual working laws for these staff such as a minimum wage or liability for workplace accidents.