How much does a taxi driver make in Chicago?
$36,770a year
Median yearly pay for taxi drivers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $17.68 an hour or $3,064 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.68
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 11
- Jobs in the area
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,200Median: $36,770Highest 10%: $44,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| 25th | $36,150 | $17.38 | |
| Median | $36,770 | $17.68 | |
| 75th | $43,460 | $20.89 | |
| 90th | $44,420 | $21.36 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for taxi drivers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi driver make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $17.68 ($36,770 a year).
Do taxi drivers make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $36,770 against $42,100 nationally, 13% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $36,770, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for taxi driver pay?
4 of 11 metro areas with data.
How much does a taxi driver make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,200 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,420 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.