As of the third quarter of 2023, in Mexico, Mexico City and Nuevo León reported the highest average monthly salary, reaching over 19,000 Mexican pesos each. Additionally, Baja California and Baja California Sur ranked third and fourth in terms of highest incomes, with an average monthly salary of 18,868 and 18,596 Mexican pesos, respectively.

In 2023, the average wage in Mexico achieved its highest level since 2009, amounting to around 20,090 U.S. dollars per year. Moreover, the average annual wage increased for the third consecutive year. Employment conditions In light of the crucial role that employment plays as a primary source of income, perceiving their working conditions to be poor, a sentiment held by nearly half of Mexico's workforce. Furthermore, the distribution of working hours skews towards non-monetarily compensated positions, particularly impacting the female demographic on households. This imbalance poses challenges to sustaining motivation. Informal employment also exhibits a higher prevalence among females, presenting regulatory complexities. Furthermore, a perceived gender-based disparity in employment opportunities subsists, amplifying the overarching concerns. As these factors coalesce, one out of every two individuals' harbors apprehensions about potential job loss. Salaries vs. Life expenses In 2023, the minimum wage has witnessed a considerable increase. Nevertheless, it continues to fall short of meeting essential living costs. Calculations indicate that a worker should ideally earn at least twice the amount of the latest increment to adequately cover these necessary expenses. A significant portion of the population—approximately one-third—finds itself residing beneath the threshold of basic food basket expenses. Consequently, Mexico ranks as the country where grocery expenses constitute the highest percentage of earnings. Furthermore, this predicament disproportionately impacts women, as they are often remunerated at lower wage rates.

Key information about Mexico Monthly Earnings

• Mexico Monthly Earnings stood at 908 USD in Feb 2025, compared with the previous figure of 902 USD in Jan 2025
• Mexico Monthly Earnings data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2000 to Feb 2025, with an average number of 578 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 1,045 USD in May 2024 and a record low of 411 USD in Feb 2000

CEIC calculates Monthly Earning from Average Daily Quote Salaries multiplied by 30 and converts it into USD. Secretary of Labor and Social Security provides Average Daily Quote Salaries in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.


Further information about Mexico Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, Mexico Population reached 132 million people in Dec 2024
• Unemployment Rate of Mexico increased to 3 % in Jan 2025
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 59 % in Jan 2025

The minimum wage per day guaranteed by law in Mexico was decreed to increase by approximately 12 percent between 2024 and 2025, reaching 278.8 Mexican pesos in 2025. The Northern Free Zone located near the northern border was the exception, where the minimum daily wage increased to 419.88 Mexican pesos. Education and income disparity The income distribution is entirely a new story than minimum wages, in fact, there are many factors that influence the level of salaries for Mexican workers. One of the main differences is by the number of schooling years, someone with more than 18 years of study earns on average double than employees with seven to nine years. Moreover, the area of study, while statistics and finance mean salaries, the highest wages by degree, are above 30,000 Mexican pesos per month, others such as performing arts and theology rank as the lowest paying degrees in Mexico.
Poverty still among the main problems
Despite one of the main reasons for minimum wage increases being moving people out from poverty conditions, poverty continues to be one of the main problems Mexican society faces. The number of people living under poverty conditions has decreased by 8.54 million inhabitants from 2014 to 2022, nonetheless, the figure is still higher than 46.5 million. The poverty rate varies among states, with Chiapas leading the ranking with 67.4 percent of the population under such conditions, while both Baja California and Baja California Sur recorded less than 14 percent.

As of the last quarter of 2023, the Mexican population receiving an average monthly salary recorded the lowest amount for the females aging 15 to 24 years with 4,740 Mexican pesos. On the other hand, the topmost value was also for the females between 65 and 74 years with 8,690 pesos.

Wages in Manufacturing in Mexico decreased to 3.80 USD/Hour in January from 5.10 USD/Hour in December of 2024. This dataset provides - Mexico Average Wages in Manufacturing Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In Mexico as the third quarter of 2023, there was a higher standard monthly wage for the male population with 8,473 Mexican pesos, while women got 7,281 MXP. Thus, the male population got a higher income around 16 percent more than the female population.

Key information about Mexico Household Income per Capita

• Mexico Annual Household Income per Capita reached 3,690.156 USD in Dec 2022, compared with the previous value of 2,639.778 USD in Dec 2020.
• Mexico Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2006 to Dec 2022, with an averaged value of 3,322.376 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4,169.817 USD in Dec 2008 and a record low of 2,639.778 USD in Dec 2020.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of Mexico grew 4.584 % YoY in Apr 2023.

CEIC calculates Annual Household Income per Capita from Quarterly Average Household Income per Capita multiplied by 4 and converts it into USD. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography provides Average Household Income per Capita in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.

In Mexico as of the third quarter of 2023, the sectors of occupation measured by the average monthly salary had the extractive industry as the clear leader, in terms of highest average salary, with 10,612 Mexican pesos, followed by the governmental, education and health areas.

Mexico MX: Wages Index: % Change data was reported at 1.112 % in Dec 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.762 % for Sep 2018. Mexico MX: Wages Index: % Change data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.237 % from Mar 1991 (Median) to Dec 2018, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.134 % in Mar 1991 and a record low of -20.075 % in Dec 1995. Mexico MX: Wages Index: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.IMF.IFS: Wages, Labour Cost and Employment Index: Quarterly.

As of the third quarter of 2023, the two highest paid professional degrees among all professional development areas were from the economic and administrative sector. Statistics ranked first with over 31,000 Mexican pesos.

Costa Rica is the country with the highest minimum monthly wage in Latin America. According to the minimum salary established by law as of January 2024, workers in the Central American country enjoy a basic monthly wage of over 687 U.S. dollars, an increase of 1.83 percent compared to the previous year and over 100 U.S. dollars more than the second place, Uruguay. On the other side of the spectrum is Venezuela, where employees are only guaranteed by law a minimum salary of 130 bolívares or little more than three dollars per month. Can Latin Americans survive on a minimum wage? Even if most countries in Latin America have instated laws to guarantee citizens a basic income, these minimum standards are often not enough to meet household needs. For instance, it was estimated that almost 25 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2020, the average net monthly salary in Mexico was barely higher than Chile's minimum wage in 2021. What can a minimum wage afford in Latin America? Latin American real wages have generally risen in the past decade. However, consumers in this region still struggle to afford non-basic goods, such as tech products. Recent estimates reveal that, in order to buy an iPhone, Brazilian residents would have to work at least two months to be able to pay for it. A gaming console, on the other hand, could easily cost a Latin American worker several minimum wages.

During the time shown, the average monthly wage in the Mexican state of Jalisco has experienced a general positive trend with the highest value recorded in the second quarter of 2023 with 6.260 Mexican pesos.

Mexico MX: Wage And Salary Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 68.720 % in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 68.667 % for 2017. Mexico MX: Wage And Salary Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 63.945 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2018, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68.898 % in 2016 and a record low of 52.971 % in 1991. Mexico MX: Wage And Salary Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Wage and salaried workers (employees) are those workers who hold the type of jobs defined as 'paid employment jobs,' where the incumbents hold explicit (written or oral) or implicit employment contracts that give them a basic remuneration that is not directly dependent upon the revenue of the unit for which they work.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in April 2019.; Weighted average;

During the depicted time period, the average monthly wage in the Mexican state of Sonora showcased a steady ascent. This positive trend reached its pinnacle in the first quarter of 2023, with the average monthly wage reaching its highest recorded value of 7,450 Mexican pesos.

Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 20% data was reported at 5.700 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.400 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 4.500 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in 2016 and a record low of 3.900 % in 2000. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset presents the mean household income for each of the five quintiles in Mexico, MO, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The dataset highlights the variation in mean household income across quintiles, offering valuable insights into income distribution and inequality.

Key observations

• Income disparities: The mean income of the lowest quintile (20% of households with the lowest income) is 10,617, while the mean income for the highest quintile (20% of households with the highest income) is 160,507. This indicates that the top earners earn 15 times compared to the lowest earners.
• *Top 5%: * The mean household income for the wealthiest population (top 5%) is 284,944, which is 177.53% higher compared to the highest quintile, and 2683.85% higher compared to the lowest quintile.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Income Levels:

• Lowest Quintile
• Second Quintile
• Third Quintile
• Fourth Quintile
• Highest Quintile
• Top 5 Percent

Variables / Data Columns

• Income Level: This column showcases the income levels (As mentioned above).
• Mean Household Income: Mean household income, in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars for the specific income level.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Mexico median household income. You can refer the same here

As of the third quarter of 2023 in Mexico, the lowest paid degrees by professional degree were for the music and performing arts professionals with an average monthly salary of 9,270 Mexican pesos.

Real Remuneration: Construction: Salary: Mexico data was reported at 50.400 MXN mn in Feb 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 50.104 MXN mn for Jan 2019. Real Remuneration: Construction: Salary: Mexico data is updated monthly, averaging 91.095 MXN mn from Jan 2006 (Median) to Feb 2019, with 158 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 191.673 MXN mn in Nov 2013 and a record low of 47.203 MXN mn in Jan 2018. Real Remuneration: Construction: Salary: Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G048: Real Remuneration: Construction Sector.

During the time shown, the average monthly wage in the Mexican state of Morelos has experienced a general positive trend with the highest value recorded in the first quarter of 2023 with 3,040 Mexican pesos.