The income of Mexico's elected representatives: an in-depth analysis
In Mexico, the salaries of federal, state, and municipal politicians are regulated by the Mexican Constitution, with no public servant earning more than the President's salary. As of 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum earns a monthly gross salary of 193,706 pesos (US $10,424).
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, takes home a net monthly pay of approximately 134,290 pesos (US $7,227) after income tax deductions. This is significantly higher than the average daily base salary of a formal sector worker, which was 614.3 pesos (US $33) at the end of July.
Interestingly, federal cabinet ministers in Mexico earn a monthly gross salary that is less than 2% lower than Sheinbaum's salary. On the other hand, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's gross annual salary is about 2.5 times Sheinbaum's gross annual salary, at $422,000 CAD (US $306,300).
At the state level, governors' salaries vary widely. For instance, the governor of Guanajuato has a gross monthly salary of 252,126 pesos (US $13,566), more than 20% higher than Sheinbaum's salary. In contrast, the governor of Zacatecas, the lowest-paid governor in 2022, had a gross monthly salary of 47,965 pesos (US $2,581).
The mayor of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, earns a gross monthly salary of 111,178 pesos (US $5,981), while Mexico's 500 federal deputies earn a net monthly salary of 79,000 pesos ($4,250). The net monthly salary of Governor Libia García Muñoz Ledo of Guanajuato is 173,731 pesos (US $9,348). Mexico's 128 federal senators see their net monthly salaries increase to 131,700 pesos (US $7,087).
It's worth noting that the president also receives benefits worth more than 575,000 pesos (US $30,945) per year. While exact figures for all other federal, state, and municipal positions are not detailed explicitly in the sources, salaries are regulated to stay below the president’s pay, reflecting a policy of salary ceilings and austerity introduced in recent administrations.
However, opportunities for corrupt practices that can supplement official incomes do exist. For example, former cabinet minister Rosario Robles was accused but subsequently absolved of corruption in connection with a large embezzlement case known as "The Master Fraud." There have also been numerous corruption cases involving Mexican politicians, including former Veracruz governor Javier Duarte who was convicted of money laundering and organized crime.
Despite these instances, the salary caps set by the Mexican Constitution aim to prevent excessive wealth accumulation among politicians, ensuring a degree of transparency and accountability in public service.
[1] Source: El Economista, Forbes Mexico, and Mexico's Federal Government website.
