The median annual wage of taxi drivers and chauffeurs was $22,440 in May 2010. The median wage is the point at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,480, and the top 10 percent earned more than $36,450. These wage data include money earned from tips. The better the service taxi drivers and chauffeurs provide their customers, the more likely they are to make a good tip on each fare.
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs who lease their car from a company may pay a fee for the use of the car. This fee covers storage, insurance, and maintenance costs. Drivers who own their cars can contract with a company that allows the drivers to use their facilities for a fee. In addition, drivers usually pay their own fuel costs, so those who use hybrid taxis will have lower expenses.
Work hours for taxi drivers and chauffeurs vary. About 16 percent worked part time in 2010 and another 14 percent had variable schedules. Evening and weekend work is common. Some drivers work very late at night or early in the morning.
Taxi drivers work with little supervision, and their work schedules are flexible. They can break for a meal or rest whenever they do not have a passenger.
Chauffeurs’ work schedules are more structured. The hours they work are based on the needs of their clients. Some chauffeurs are on call while they are not at work.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition