Taxi drivers and chauffeurs held about 233,700 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most taxi drivers and chauffeurs were as follows:
Taxi and limousine service
21%
Healthcare and social assistance
15
Other transit and ground passenger transportation
10
About 1 in 5 taxi drivers and chauffeurs were self-employed. Some drivers may own their taxi and contract with a dispatch company that refers passengers and allows the driver to use their facilities for a fee. Other drivers lease a dispatch company's car as part of the fee. Drivers usually pay for their own expenses such as fuel.
Driving for long periods, especially in heavy traffic, can be stressful for taxi drivers and chauffeurs. In addition, they often have to pick up heavy luggage and packages.
Work Schedules
Work hours for taxi drivers and chauffeurs vary. About 1 in 5 worked part time in 2014. Evening and weekend work is common. Some drivers work very late at night or early in the morning.
Taxi drivers work with little or no 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 much 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, so they must be ready to drive their client at a moment's notice.