TransportationCompare

Taxi Driver

O*NET: Taxi Drivers·53-3054.00

The Verdict:Urban driving demands real-time adaptation to traffic, pedestrians, weather, and routes no map fully captures. Hands-on aid with passengers and luggage is irreplaceable. Ride-hailing apps automate dispatch and payments, but full autonomy faces regulatory and safety hurdles. Pilotless vehicles pressure the role, yet humans excel in complex city navigation over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Moderate Risk

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$36k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+11.1%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 4 of 16 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

25%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role has a mixed AI profile.
4 tasks are automatable, 31% reward AI fluency, and 7 remain human-essential.

4exposed

5AI leverage

7human-essential

View all 16 tasks

AI Can Handle This4 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Collect fares or vouchers from passengers, and make change or issue receipts as necessary.

Communicate with dispatchers by radio, telephone, or computer to exchange information and receive requests for passenger service.

Determine fares based on trip distances and times, using taximeters and fee schedules, and announce fares to passengers.

Turn the taximeter on when passengers enter the cab, and turn it off when they reach the final destination.

AI Leverage5 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Complete accident reports when necessary.

Notify dispatchers or company mechanics of vehicle problems.

Provide passengers with information or advice about the local area, points of interest, hotels, or restaurants.

Report to taxicab services or garages to receive vehicle assignments.

Test vehicle equipment, such as lights, brakes, horns, or windshield wipers, to ensure proper operation.

Human Advantage7 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Drive taxicabs or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.

Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation, and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations.

Perform minor vehicle repairs, such as cleaning spark plugs, or take vehicles to mechanics for servicing.

Perform routine vehicle maintenance, such as regulating tire pressure and adding gasoline, oil, and water.

Pick up passengers at prearranged locations, at taxi stands, or by cruising streets in high-traffic areas.

Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting vehicles, and help them with any luggage.

Vacuum and clean interiors and wash and polish exteriors of automobiles.

Resilience Landscape

Taxi Driver lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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