Tamaulipas, Baja California, and Tlaxcala Lead Wage Growth in 2025
In 2025, average wages for formal workers in Mexico showed broad-based growth, though with clear differences among states. Tamaulipas, Baja California, and Tlaxcala ranked at the top nationwide, posting the highest percentage increases compared with the previous year.
Tamaulipas led with an increase of about 9.3% in the average daily wage, reflecting a significant improvement in worker income. It was followed by Baja California, with a rise of approximately 9.2%, supported by strong industrial and export-related activity. Tlaxcala ranked third, with growth close to 9.1%, showing notable progress despite having a lower wage base than many other states.
Other states that also recorded above-average increases were Sinaloa and Chihuahua, each with gains near 9%, confirming a positive trend in regions with strong manufacturing and agribusiness activity.
At the national level, the average daily wage grew by more than 7%, although this pace was slower than in the previous year, suggesting some moderation in wage recovery even as incomes continued to rise.
In terms of absolute wage levels, only two states exceeded the 700-peso-per-day mark: Mexico City and Baja California, making them the highest-paying labor markets in the country. States such as Nuevo León, Querétaro, and Tamaulipas remained above the national average but did not reach that threshold.
Meanwhile, several states in central and southern Mexico continued to post the lowest wage levels, keeping regional income gaps in place. These disparities reflect long-standing differences in productivity, investment, and the types of jobs available across regions.
Analysts note that while wage increases are a positive development, the main challenge is ensuring that higher pay translates into lasting improvements in purchasing power, especially in areas where living costs have also been rising.
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