Taxi Driver Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Taxi Drivers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$36,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $42,100
State Rank
#12 of 24
190 employed here

How much does a Taxi Driver make in Illinois?

A Taxi Driver working in Illinois earns a median salary of $36,770 per year, or about $17.68 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $42,100 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $44,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,910 and $43,410 a year.

Taxi Driver salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$34,910$16.78
50th percentile (median)$36,770$17.68
75th percentile (experienced)$43,410$20.87
90th percentile (top earners)$44,390$21.34

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 12th out of 24 states and territories for Taxi Driver pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Texas$48,740
2Nevada$44,800
3Colorado$43,490
4New York$41,570
5New Hampshire$41,510

Working as a Taxi Driver in Illinois

Nationally, about 41,000 people work as Taxi Drivers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($36,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Taxi Driver make in Illinois?
The median Taxi Driver salary in Illinois is $36,770 per year, or about $17.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $44,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Taxi Drivers about 13% less than the national median of $42,100. Illinois ranks 12th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Taxi Drivers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,770 a year. About 190 Taxi Drivers are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Taxi Driver salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.