Mexican Professionals in the U.S. Face Wage Gaps Despite Education; Slower Growth and Exchange Rate Pressure Remittances
Mexicans with undergraduate or graduate degrees who live and work in the United States earn, on average, significantly lower salaries than other migrant groups with comparable educational backgrounds. According to the 2025 Migration and Remittances Yearbook, prepared by BBVA Mexico and the National Population Council (Conapo), their average annual income is $71,000—a gap of up to 38.3% compared to Asians ($115,000). The difference is also notable compared to Europeans ($107,000; +34%), Africans ($87,000; +18%), South Americans ($80,000; +11.3%), and Caribbean migrants ($78,000; +9%).
The report also examines the sectoral integration of the Mexican population in the United States: 60.8% are employed in services, 33.7% in manufacturing, and 5.5% in agriculture—the highest proportion among all nationalities in that sector. Estimated average annual wages are $45,000 in services, $48,000 in the secondary sector, and $33,000 in primary activities. This reflects a concentration in lower-paying occupations with less professional credential recognition.
The wage gap persists even with advanced education and is linked to multiple factors: barriers to credential and license recognition, migration statuses with work restrictions, English proficiency, social networks that funnel workers into specific occupational niches, and geographic segmentation in low-productivity labor markets. Studies of migrant integration in the U.S. show that age at arrival, field of study, and previous work experience are decisive factors in long-term earnings trajectories.
BBVA Mexico is forecasting a drop of more than 5% in remittance flows to Mexico this year, mostly due to slower job growth in the U.S. This adjustment contrasts with the performance of countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, or Colombia, where remittance inflows have continued to post double-digit growth, according to the same report. On top of this, the strong peso has reduced the purchasing power in Mexico of every U.S. dollar sent home, even if the dollar amount stays the same.
A slowdown in remittances would have uneven impacts. These funds represent about 3.5%–4% of GDP and are a key support for consumption in states with relatively high dependency, such as Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Zacatecas. In these regions, remittances drive retail trade, housing construction, and local services. A setback could result in slower retail sales growth and less activity among small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in rural towns.
At the same time, the Mexican labor market has shown mixed signals. On one hand, consecutive minimum wage hikes and the relocation of supply chains (nearshoring) have boosted demand for workers in manufacturing and export-linked services, driving formal job creation in various cities throughout the Bajío and the northern border region. On the other hand, informality remains high and wage gaps within Mexico are still wide, keeping migration incentives strong for certain segments—especially those with established family networks in the U.S.
Looking ahead, the performance of remittances and wage convergence for skilled Mexicans in the U.S. will depend on the U.S. economic cycle, the evolution of Federal Reserve monetary policy, the peso–dollar exchange rate, and the makeup of new migration flows. Policies that make it easier to recognize professional credentials, access certifications, learn English, and regularize immigration status could improve job placement for Mexican professionals. In Mexico, expanding financial inclusion for remittance-receiving households—with access to savings products, insurance, and productive credit—would help cushion shocks and channel remittances into investments and human capital development.
In sum, data from the Yearbook point to a persistent wage gap for Mexican professionals in the U.S., and a more challenging remittance outlook due to slower job growth and a stronger peso. The macroeconomic impact will be limited but meaningful at the regional level. The key will be how the U.S. business cycle, exchange rates, and labor and financial integration strategies evolve on both sides of the border.
