A primary school teacher in Mexico earns an average of 9,180 pesos a month, working about 26.9 hours a week, according to first-quarter 2026 data from Data México, the Ministry of Economy platform that processes INEGI's National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE). A high school (preparatoria) teacher averages 9,570 pesos a month, with about 30 hours a week (Data México).
These figures are averages of what teachers themselves report, in public and private schools, full time and part time. That is why they are lower than the pay for a full-time federal teaching post. This guide brings together the official data available, the 2026 SEP pay raise and the factors that make two teachers earn very different amounts.
How much a teacher earns in Mexico by level
| Level | Average monthly salary (pesos) | Weekly hours | Source and period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | $9,180 | 26.9 | Data México, Q1 2026 |
| Primary (men / women) | $9,800 / $8,920 | — | Data México, Q1 2026 |
| Secondary (men / women) | $9,510 / $8,960 | — | Data México, Q1 2026 |
| High school and equivalent | $9,570 | 30 | Data México, Q1 2026 |
| Primary (4-quarter average) | $16,237 | — | IMCO via Expansión, Q2 2024 to Q1 2025 |
| Secondary (4-quarter average) | $18,690 | — | IMCO via Expansión, Q2 2024 to Q1 2025 |
| Preschool (4-quarter average) | $15,495 | — | IMCO via Expansión, Q2 2024 to Q1 2025 |
Sources: Data México, primary, secondary and high school, and IMCO (Compara Carreras) cited by Expansión. The two sources do not match: both use the ENOE, but Data México shows a single-quarter average for everyone working as a teacher, while IMCO averages four quarters and focuses on degree holders in the field. Data México does not publish an overall secondary average for the latest quarter, only the breakdown by sex.
For comparison: Mexico's general minimum wage is 315.04 pesos a day in 2026, about 9,582 pesos a month, as explained in our article on Mexico's minimum wage. Data México's primary average is close to that amount, but it reflects working weeks of under 27 hours.
The states where a teacher earns the most in Mexico
Pay varies widely by state. According to Data México, these were the states with the highest average salaries in the first quarter of 2026:
| Level | State | Average monthly salary (pesos) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Nayarit | $13,200 |
| Primary | Baja California Sur | $13,100 |
| Primary | Yucatán | $12,800 |
| High school | Oaxaca | $17,500 |
| High school | Baja California Sur | $16,900 |
| High school | Nuevo León | $16,700 |
Sources: Data México, primary and high school. The states with the most primary school teachers are the State of Mexico (83,000), Veracruz (52,200) and Oaxaca (36,300). State figures are based on smaller survey samples, so they have wider margins of error.
The 2026 teacher pay raise
On May 15, Teachers' Day, Public Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced a 9% pay raise "made up of benefits and salary recognition", according to El Financiero. President Claudia Sheinbaum recalled that the 2025 raise had been 10%.
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 raise | 10% | Claudia Sheinbaum, via El Financiero |
| 2026 raise | 9%, retroactive to January 1 | El Financiero and Récord |
| Extra point | 1% from September 2026 (10% in total for the year) | Récord |
| CNTE demand | 100% raise | El Financiero |
| Estimated hourly pay in primary | About 110 pesos gross (press estimate, not an official pay scale) | Récord |
Sources: El Financiero and Récord. According to Récord, the SEP had not yet published the pay scales with the exact pay per post at that time, so the hourly amounts in circulation are estimates based on averages.
How many teachers there are and who they are
According to preliminary INEGI data cited by Expansión, in the 2024-2025 school year there were 2,062,615 people working as teachers in 258,718 schools in Mexico. Data México shows the profile of the three levels with the most information:
| Level | People employed | Average age | Women | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 670,000 | 41.3 years | 70.4% | Data México, Q1 2026 |
| Secondary | — | 44.7 years | 55% | Data México, Q1 2026 |
| High school and equivalent | 231,000 | 45.6 years | 51.1% | Data México, Q1 2026 |
Sources: Data México, primary, secondary and high school. At all three levels women earn less than men on average: in primary, 8,920 pesos versus 9,800 pesos a month. Data México's public profile does not show the total number of secondary teachers for the latest quarter.
Why teachers' pay varies so much
- Type of post and hours: a full-time post does not pay the same as an hourly one. In secondary and high school, it is common for teachers to be hired for only a few hours.
- Public or private school: the ENOE figures include both, and many private schools pay less than the SEP.
- Economic zone: in Economic Zone III, which includes the northern border and some Mexico City boroughs, there can be pay supplements of up to 30%, according to Récord.
- Horizontal promotion: teachers who meet the requirements can access incentives that, according to Récord, reach up to 35% of base pay.
- Informality: 7.83% of primary school teachers work informally, according to Data México, and pay in that group is much lower.
To compare with other countries, teacher pay in the region is covered in how much a teacher earns in Chile and how much a teacher earns in Peru. Other public salaries in Mexico are in how much a soldier earns in Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a primary school teacher earn in Mexico?
An average of 9,180 pesos a month for about 26.9 hours a week, according to Data México (Q1 2026). IMCO estimates 16,237 pesos a month averaging four quarters.
How much does a secondary school teacher earn in Mexico?
Data México reports 9,510 pesos for men and 8,960 pesos for women in Q1 2026. IMCO estimates an average of 18,690 pesos.
How much does a high school teacher earn?
9,570 pesos a month on average, with about 30 hours a week, according to Data México.
How big was the 2026 raise for teachers?
9% retroactive to January and an extra 1% from September, according to the SEP and the press.
In which state do teachers earn the most?
In primary, Nayarit (13,200 pesos), Baja California Sur and Yucatán, according to Data México.
