OCC Reveals that 76% of Mexican Workers Report Wage Inequality

A majority of workers in Mexico experience wage disparities, highlighting persistent challenges in pay equity across industries, according to recent surveys. Data from HR platform Worky and the Termómetro Laboral by OCC reveal that inequitable salaries remain widespread, affecting motivation, trust, and organizational performance.

“Wage inequality not only affects worker confidence but can lead to turnover, demotivation, and damage to the employer brand. In a competitive labor market, fair compensation is a strategic advantage for attracting and retaining talent,” says Karla Villanueva, Manager of Business and Market Intelligence, OCC.

The Termómetro Laboral surveyed 1,779 Mexican employees and found that 76% observed differences in pay among colleagues with identical roles and responsibilities, whether due to gender, age, or disability. Among these, 60% reported experiencing wage gaps personally, while 16% noticed them in their professional environment. Only 20% denied encountering such disparities. The study also noted that discussing salaries remains sensitive: half of respondents share pay information only with trusted coworkers, 37% avoid discussing it entirely, and 13% discuss it openly in the workplace.

Worky’s 2025 Salary Study, which analyzed over 17,000 employee records in partnership with consultancy Matteria, reports that women in Mexico earn about 25% less than men in equivalent positions. The study found the average monthly net pay for women at MX$23,178 (US$1,229) compared with MX$31,025 (US$1,644) for men. Disparities were more pronounced at senior levels: women in executive management earned MX$265,160 (US$14,053) versus MX$302,285 (US$16,012) for men, with the gap widening at regional director levels.

Sector-specific differences were also evident. In finance roles, men earned nearly 27% more than women, while in marketing analyst positions, the gap exceeded 39%. In lower-level administrative roles, differences narrowed but often favored men minimally or, in rare cases, women. Structural factors, including unpaid caregiving responsibilities and limited access to leadership roles, contributed to these disparities. Women in Mexico dedicate an average of 42 hours per week to household and care tasks — 121% more than men — while working 20% fewer paid hours, according to the think tank México ¿Cómo Vamos?.

Experts point to policy solutions such as transparent pay bands, salary audits, leadership development programs, flexible work arrangements, and public investment in care infrastructure. Worky highlights that organizations implementing these measures report higher retention, productivity, and inclusive workplaces. 

Wage inequality in Mexico aligns with broader international trends. The World Economic Forum ranked Mexico 119th of 146 countries in wage parity, and studies by the ILO and ECLAC suggest that expanding care systems in Latin America could create up to 32 million jobs by 2035. Analysts note that pay equity is both a social responsibility and a business imperative, enhancing talent attraction, employee trust, and organizational performance.