Average Salary in Mexico in 2026

Mexico has transitioned from an emerging market to a central hiring destination for global teams. It’s become one of the most strategic talent hubs in the world. In recent years, Mexico has become the United States’ top trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a record-breaking US$840 billion. That momentum isn’t slowing down.

Companies in the Western Hemisphere are racing to build supply chains closer to home as nearshoring investments keep going south. Mexico’s workforce offers an abundance of highly skilled workers, which makes it a great place for engineering, operations, customer support, manufacturing, and more. But growth makes things more complicated, especially when it comes to pay.

Understanding the average salary in Mexico isn’t just for benchmarking purposes. These numbers determine whether your offers are competitive and accepted, and how long employees will stay with your company. This guide shows you Mexico’s salary landscape for 2026, including national averages, ranges for specific roles, regional differences, and the little things that can make or break hiring in Mexico.

What is the average salary in Mexico in 2026?

The average salary in Mexico is about MXN 350,000 (pesos) a year, which converts to about US$19,500. That comes out to about MXN 29,200 or US$1,624 every month. These numbers are a good place to start, but they don’t tell the whole story.

Most employers find the median salary more helpful. Mexico’s median monthly income is about MXN 28,275 (about US$1,570). This means that half of the workforce earns more than this amount, and half earn less. The median removes the highest and lowest pay levels, making it a better way to compare offers for standard jobs.

This is also a matter of context. Mexico raised the minimum wage by 13% in 2026, bringing the daily rate to MXN 315.04, or about US$17.52. That comes after nine years of wage growth in the double digits, with a total increase of 256% since 2018. Inflation-adjusted wage increases have changed the salary floor, and this has an effect on mid-level and senior positions as well.

Average salary in Mexico by job role

Salaries vary widely based on the job, the field, and how specialized the role is. Here are the average monthly and yearly salaries for common jobs in Mexico.

• Software Engineer. MXN 45,000/month (US$2,500) (~MXN 540,000 or US$30,000 annually)
• Customer Support Representative. MXN 12,000/month (US$670) (~MXN 144,000 or US$8,000 annually)
• Sales Associate. MXN 15,000/month (US$835) (~MXN 180,000 or US$10,000 annually)
• Marketing Manager. MXN 35,000/month (US$1,950) (~MXN 420,000 or US$23,350 annually)
• Accountant. MXN 18,000/month (US$1,000) (~MXN 216,000 or US$12,000 annually)
• Data Analyst. MXN 30,000/month (US$1,670) (~MXN 360,000 or US$20,000 annually)
• Administrative Assistant. MXN 10,000/month (US$555) (~MXN 120,000 or US$6,675 annually)
• Project Manager. MXN 40,000/month (US$2,225) (~MXN 480,000 or US$26,700 annually)
• Manufacturing Technician. MXN 14,000/month (US$780) (~MXN 168,000 or US$9,345 annually)
• HR Generalist. MXN 22,000/month (US$1,225) (~MXN 264,000 or US$14,685 annually)

These numbers shift based on a prospective employee’s experience. A junior software engineer might make MXN 25,000 per month, while a senior developer with 5–10 years of experience can make MXN 70,000 or more.

English proficiency also makes candidates more valuable, especially if they work with customers, in tech, or with clients from other countries. Education credentials are also essential for specialized jobs like engineering, finance, and management, where advanced degrees or technical certifications can also boost pay.

Average salary in major Mexican cities

Location plays a significant role in shaping compensation across Mexico. Salaries vary with local demand, industry concentration, cost of living, and proximity to international markets. Here’s how pay breaks down across Mexico’s key hiring hubs.

Mexico City

The average salary in the capital is the highest in the country. The average monthly salary for professionals in the middle is between MXN 35,000 and 40,000 (US$1,950 and $2,225). Multinational companies, banks, and tech companies all have offices here, which makes it hard to find the best workers. Mexico City also has the highest cost of living, so companies have to pay their workers more and give them better employee benefits to keep them.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is Mexico’s Silicon Valley and the country’s top tech center, with a wealth of software engineers, IT specialists, and digital professionals living and working there. Technical jobs pay an average of MXN 30,000 to 35,000 a month (US$1,670 to $1,950). The city has a lower cost of living than Mexico City, and it hosts a high density of talented professionals, which makes it an attractive city for tech companies to grow their teams.

Monterrey

This industrial giant is mostly about making things, moving things, and engineering. The average monthly salary is between MXN 28,000 and 33,000 (US$1,560 and $1,835). Monterrey is close to the U.S. border and has a well-established supply chain, which makes it a good place for companies in the automotive, aerospace, and heavy industries. There is strong demand for manufacturing engineers, operations managers, and supply chain specialists in this area, making the job market more technical.

Tijuana

Tijuana’s labor market is shaped by its closeness to the border, where manufacturing and cross-border operations create demand. Average monthly salaries are usually between MXN 20,000 and 25,000 (US$1,110 and $1,390), which is lower than in cities in Mexico’s interior, but this is compensated by access to U.S. markets and clients. The cost of living is still reasonable, and the concentration of bilingual workers is higher. That’s why Tijuana is a top local hiring market for businesses that serve North American customers.

Querétaro

Querétaro is becoming a hot spot for aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing. The average monthly salary is between MXN 25,000 and 28,000 (US$1,390 and $1,560). The city features a high quality of life, low operating costs, and a growing number of skilled workers. Its central location and business-friendly environment have attracted considerable foreign investment, driving up wages as competition for talent intensifies.

What’s the minimum wage in Mexico?

The minimum wage in Mexico for 2026 is MXN 315.04 per day, which is about MXN 6,300 per month (for a full-time job) or about US$350 per month. This is a 13% increase from 2025 and is part of a trend of significant wage increases to help low-income workers buy more.

The Free Zone of the Northern Border (Zona Libre de la Frontera Norte) has a different, higher minimum wage of MXN 440.87 per day, which is about MXN 8,817 per month or US$490. This area includes cities along the U.S. border in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas. The premium is because living costs are higher near the border, and wages are generally higher in the U.S. just a few miles away.

People who work at minimum wage jobs usually work in retail, warehouses, food service, or as general laborers in agriculture or manufacturing. For jobs that require such labor, these are the lowest rates possible. In border regions, workers can choose jobs on either side of the line. Understanding which minimum wage applies—standard versus border zone rates—keeps you compliant and helps you build offers that compete for the best talent.

Compensation trends to watch in Mexico

The Mexican job market is changing quickly because of factors like nearshoring, competition for talent, and changing employee expectations. Employers who know about these trends can craft better, more competitive compensation strategies.

• Remote and hybrid work is driving tech and CX demand. Global companies hiring bilingual workers from Mexico have created a considerable increase in remote-friendly jobs in software development, customer service, and back-office operations. As competition gets tougher, salaries for these jobs continue to increase.
• Wage inflation from nearshoring competition. Nearshoring has brought significant foreign investment to Mexico, which has bumped up wages in manufacturing, logistics, and technical jobs. Companies that used to rely on Mexico’s lower costs now have to compete in bidding wars for skilled workers in key markets like Monterrey and Querétaro.
• Benefits of becoming a differentiator. Base salary alone isn’t enough to get top candidates anymore. To stand out, global employers are adding private health insurance, flexible schedules, budgets for professional development, and bonuses for good work to their job offers.
• Industry-specific wage pressures are reshaping compensation. The BPO industry is raising pay for bilingual workers, and companies in the automotive and aerospace industries in northern Mexico are aggressively competing to fill roles for skilled engineers and technicians. Fintech startups are trying to get developers and product managers to leave traditional tech companies by offering them equity and high salaries.

FAQs: Average salary in Mexico

Employers hiring in Mexico often have similar questions about compensation, compliance, and market benchmarks. Here are answers to the most common ones.

What is the average salary in Mexico in 2026?

The average salary is around MXN 350,000 pesos annually, or roughly US$19,500. The median monthly income sits at approximately MXN 28,275 (US$1,624), which provides a more accurate benchmark for typical roles.

What is a good salary in Mexico City?

A competitive salary for mid-level professionals in Mexico City ranges from MXN 35,000 to 40,000 (US$1,950 to $2,225). Higher wages reflect the capital’s elevated cost of living and intense competition for talent among multinationals and tech companies.

How does the cost of living affect wages in Mexico?

To make up for the high cost of living in cities like Mexico City and Monterrey, employers usually pay higher wages to cover things like housing, transportation, and everyday items. Regional markets like Querétaro and Tijuana have lower costs and slightly lower wages, which are advantageous for both employers and employees.

Is it cheaper to hire in Mexico compared to the U.S.?

Yes, labor costs in Mexico are much lower—often 40% to 60% lower than similar jobs in the U.S., depending on the job and location. However, in competitive markets and specialized roles, the gap is closing because of nearshoring demand and rising wages.

Can I pay Mexican employees in USD?

Mexican labor law requires salaries to be stated and paid in pesos. Some employers offer USD-pegged compensation or bonuses, but the legal salary must be denominated in the local currency to maintain compliance.

Hire in Mexico with confidence

To hire the best people while remaining compliant with employment laws in Mexico, you need to know how the country’s pay structure works. Getting compensation right means faster job offers, better employee retention, and fewer legal problems in the future.

Pebl’s Employer of Record services provide the local expertise and infrastructure you need to budget accurately, structure competitive offers, and manage payroll tax across Mexico’s diverse markets. Looking to build your team in Mexico? Pebl makes it easy to hire and pay top talent, without the complexity of international employment. Get in touch to learn more.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.

© 2026 Pebl, LLC. All rights reserved.