Non-Manufacturing Employment, Wages Increased in May: IMMEX

Total employment at Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry (IMMEX) establishments decreased 0.2% in May 2025 compared to April. reports the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Employment in manufacturing units declined by 0.3%, while non-manufacturing units, those involved in agriculture, fishing, commerce, and services, registered a 0.7% increase.

Hours worked followed a similar pattern, falling 1.5% overall, reports INEGI. Manufacturing establishments reported a 1.8% drop, while non-manufacturing units saw a 0.7% increase. Average real wages for directly hired employees contracted 0.9% across all IMMEX firms. This figure declined 0.9% in manufacturing and rose 0.7% in non-manufacturing units.

As of May, 6,551 establishments were registered under the IMMEX program: 5,234 engaged in manufacturing and 1,317 in non-manufacturing activities. Baja California accounted for 17.7% of all IMMEX businesses, followed by Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Coahuila , and both Guanajuato and Jalisco.

The total number of employed individuals within the program stood at 3.23 million, representing a 1.6% annual decrease. Employment in manufacturing dropped 2.3%, with direct hires decreasing 2.1% and subcontracted workers down 15.3%. Non-manufacturing units experienced a 4.6% increase in employment year-over-year.

The number of hours worked totaled 629.6 million in May, down 3.1% from May 2024. Manufacturing accounted for a 3.7% annual decline, while non-manufacturing hours rose by 2.9%. Notable annual increases in hours worked were observed in Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, and Nuevo Leon.

Real average monthly wages reached MX$22,474 (US$1,123.70), an annual increase of 3.8%. Wages grew 3.2% in manufacturing and 9.5% in non-manufacturing sectors.

Total revenues from IMMEX establishments amounted to MX$691.1 billion (US$34.56 billion) in May, with manufacturing units contributing 90.6% of the total and non-manufacturing businesses accounting for the remainder.