Taxi Drivers Salary in California
Taxi Drivers in California earn a median annual wage of $39,260 —6.7% below the national median of $42,100. That ranks CA #6 of 24 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.81× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for taxi drivers
All 24 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $48,740 | $23.43 | 460 | 0.12 |
| 2 | Nevada | $44,800 | $21.54 | 2,980 | 7.26 |
| 3 | Colorado | $43,490 | $20.91 | 60 | 0.08 |
| 4 | New York | $41,570 | $19.98 | — | — |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $41,510 | $19.96 | 80 | 0.42 |
| 6 | California | $39,260 | $18.88 | 3,880 | 0.81 |
| 7 | Missouri | $37,560 | $18.06 | 200 | 0.26 |
| 8 | Oregon | $37,120 | $17.85 | 240 | 0.47 |
| 9 | Maine | $36,960 | $17.77 | 50 | 0.28 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $36,950 | $17.77 | 120 | 0.09 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $40,240 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $37,330 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $58,640 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $46,790 | $44,860 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $46,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $62,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do taxi drivers make in California?
The median annual wage for taxi drivers in California is $39,260, or $18.88 per hour. That is 6.7% below the national median of $42,100.
What is the entry-level taxi drivers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $39,050 per year ($18.77/hour). The 25th percentile is $39,260.
How many people work as taxi drivers in California?
About 3,880 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for taxi drivers?
California ranks #6 of 24 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.81x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays taxi drivers the most?
Texas has the highest median wage at $48,740 per year, followed by Nevada ($44,800) and Colorado ($43,490).