A family doctor at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) with one year of seniority earns 39,120 pesos net a month in 2026, after the 8% raise in effect since October 16, according to a breakdown released by IMSS on October 23, Doctor's Day, and reported by Infobae. Adding the Christmas bonus, savings fund and other annual benefits spread over 12 months, the equivalent monthly income reaches 53,396 pesos.
That figure is for a permanent position at the country's main health institution. The average across all doctors is far lower: according to INEGI's National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE), as processed by Data México, general and family physicians reported an average salary of 10,800 pesos a month in the first quarter of 2026, and specialists 12,900 pesos. This guide explains where each figure comes from and why they differ so much.
How much does an IMSS doctor earn in 2026
| Item (family doctor, 1 year of seniority) | Before the raise | With the 8% raise |
|---|---|---|
| Net monthly pay | 36,896 | 39,120 |
| Equivalent monthly income with benefits | 50,332 | 53,396 |
| Total annual benefits | 161,230 | 171,311 |
| Christmas bonus (90 days) | 95,805 | 101,826 |
| Savings fund (46 days) | 35,873 | 38,128 |
| Cultural allowance (23 days) | 25,174 | 26,712 |
| Vacation bonus (25%) | 4,378 | 4,646 |
Figures in Mexican pesos. Source: IMSS breakdown for a primary-care family doctor working 8 hours a day, five days a week, with one year of seniority, cited by Infobae on October 23, 2026. Amounts are net of taxes and vary with seniority, shift, type of position and allowances. The 8% raise is split into 4% on base salary and 4% on the tax-free housing allowance.
Not everyone was satisfied: groups of workers marched in October for higher pay, permanent contracts and medicine supplies, as we explained in our story on the IMSS dispute. In late October the institute announced a 12-step, 120-day plan that includes the raise, converting temporary posts into permanent ones and hiring specialists, according to El Economista.
How much does a general practitioner earn in Mexico according to the ENOE
| Occupation (ENOE, Q1 2026) | Employed | Average monthly salary | Hours per week | Informality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General and family physicians | 238,000 | 10,800 | 39.7 | 19.3% |
| Medical specialists | 119,000 | 12,900 | 33.9 | 26.6% |
Source: Data México, general and family physicians and medical specialists, based on INEGI's ENOE. Data México warns that salary data for these occupations "have low statistical precision and should not be used as conclusions". One sign of that noise: the specialists' average jumped 74.6% in a single quarter, from 7,400 pesos at the end of 2025.
There are three reasons the ENOE average is much lower than IMSS pay. The survey records what each person reports, includes doctors working part time or in small private practices, and counts informal doctors: almost one in five general practitioners works without social security. By sex, female general practitioners reported more (11,900) than men (9,820), while among specialists it was the other way round (10,800 versus 15,500).
The ENOE also shows the weight of experience. Among general and family physicians, the highest average salary was reported by women aged 55 to 64 (21,100 pesos a month) and the lowest by men aged 45 to 54 (5,910). Those with more than 18 years of schooling, that is, with a specialty or postgraduate degree, reported up to 16,100. Among specialists, the highest average was for men aged 45 to 54, at 37,300 pesos a month, according to Data México.
Where doctors earn the most in Mexico
| Occupation | States with the highest average salary | States with the most doctors |
|---|---|---|
| General and family physicians | Baja California Sur (21,400), Guanajuato (16,700) and Chiapas (16,500) | Mexico City (49,900), State of Mexico (36,600) and Puebla (16,200) |
| Medical specialists | Colima (28,500), Quintana Roo (21,100) and Sinaloa (20,300) | Mexico City (18,500), Puebla (7,960) and Michoacán (7,950) |
Source: Data México, ENOE, first quarter of 2026. With small samples per state, these averages change a lot from one quarter to the next and should be read as a reference, not a firm ranking.
How much a doctor earns in Mexico depending on the employer
Besides IMSS, there are other public references for a doctor's income in 2026:
| Employer or program | Monthly amount (pesos) | Type of figure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMSS, family doctor (1 year) | 39,120 net | Official IMSS breakdown | Infobae |
| IMSS-Bienestar, primary care clinics | 19,200 | Financial support under the 2026 National Call | W Radio |
| IMSS, base salary scale for a doctor | From 9,751 | Base salary without benefits | Fox Sports |
| Farmacias Similares clinics | 12,000 to 18,000 | Press estimate; depends on consultations | Fox Sports |
These figures are not directly comparable: some are net and others gross, some include benefits and others are program stipends. The Farmacias Similares figure does not come from the company but from a press estimate, since those doctors are usually paid per consultation. The IMSS-Bienestar call offers 13,350 pesos to nurses with a bachelor's degree, according to the same source.
How much a doctor earns in Mexico compared with other benchmarks
| Benchmark | Monthly amount (2026, pesos) |
|---|---|
| IMSS family doctor (net) | 39,120 |
| Medical specialist, ENOE average | 12,900 |
| General practitioner, ENOE average | 10,800 |
| General minimum wage (30.4 days) | 9,582 |
| Primary school teacher, ENOE average | 9,180 |
Sources: IMSS via Infobae, Data México and Mexico's 2026 minimum wage. For teaching, see how much a teacher earns in Mexico; for Chile, see how much a doctor earns in Chile, where the 44-hour public scale starts at 2,502,413 Chilean pesos gross.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a general practitioner earn in Mexico in 2026?
It depends on the employer. An IMSS family doctor with one year of seniority receives 39,120 pesos net a month, according to the institute. The ENOE average for general and family physicians is 10,800 pesos a month, a figure Data México considers low precision.
How much does an IMSS doctor earn with benefits?
With the Christmas bonus, savings fund, cultural allowance and vacation bonus spread over 12 months, an IMSS family doctor reaches an equivalent income of 53,396 pesos a month in 2026.
How much does a medical specialist earn in Mexico?
The ENOE records an average salary of 12,900 pesos a month for medical specialists in the first quarter of 2026, with the highest averages in Colima, Quintana Roo and Sinaloa. In public institutions, pay depends on each specialty's salary scale.
How much does IMSS-Bienestar pay doctors?
The 2026 National Call for primary care clinics offers doctors financial support of 19,200 pesos a month, according to published information about the call.
