Economy, jobs and prices in Mexicali, Mexico: official figures
The 2024 Economic Census counted 33,449 business establishments (economic units) in Mexicali in 2023, 19th most of 107 Mexican cities on this site, against 29,280 in the 2019 census (up 14.2%).
How many people work in Mexicali?
Those establishments employed 288,118 people in 2023, 12th most of 107 Mexican cities on this site, up 7.5% from the 268,086 counted for 2018 (national: up 3.1%).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Mexicali?
Paid workers in Mexicali earned an average of MXN 189,770 in total pay over 2023, 14th highest of 107 Mexican cities on this site; the national average was MXN 168,674.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) · saved copyHow productive is the economy of Mexicali?
Businesses in Mexicali generated MXN 160.3 billion in gross value added in 2023, about MXN 556,217 per person employed, 22nd highest of 107 Mexican cities on this site (national: MXN 560,263).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) · saved copyHow many women work in Mexicali?
Women held 41.9% of the jobs counted in Mexicali in 2023, 33rd lowest of 107 Mexican cities on this site (national: 43.2%); 85.5% of all workers were paid employees.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Mexicali?
By sector, manufacturing 39.4% (113,604), retail trade 19.1% (55,045) and hotels, restaurants and bars 8.5% (24,447) of the people employed in Mexicali in 2023 (national manufacturing share: 25.7%); manufacturing's share was 16th highest of 107 Mexican cities on this site.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) · saved copyHow much do businesses invest in Mexicali?
Businesses in Mexicali reported MXN 4.7 billion of investment and MXN 294.7 billion of gross output in 2023 (2018: MXN 3.3 billion and MXN 184.2 billion, current pesos).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) · saved copyHow Mexicali compares with other cities in Mexico
Economic units (2024 economic census) (2023)
Mexicali ranks 19 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Economic units (2024 economic census) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Acapulco | 35,499 |
| 17 | Chihuahua | 34,456 |
| 18 | Hermosillo | 33,838 |
| 19 | Mexicali | 33,449 |
| 20 | Oaxaca | 29,230 |
| 21 | Saltillo | 28,924 |
| 22 | Villahermosa | 28,862 |
Persons employed (2024 economic census) (2023)
Mexicali ranks 12 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Persons employed (2024 economic census) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Mérida | 320,950 |
| 10 | Chihuahua | 320,471 |
| 11 | San Luis Potosí-Soledad de Graciano Sánchez | 319,000 |
| 12 | Mexicali | 288,118 |
| 13 | Hermosillo | 285,409 |
| 14 | Aguascalientes | 284,729 |
| 15 | Toluca | 268,605 |
Change in persons employed, 2018-2023 (2018-2023)
Mexicali ranks 33 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Change in persons employed, 2018-2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Moroleón Uriangato - Moroleón-Uriangato | +7.9% |
| 31 | Chilpacingo de los Bravo | +7.6% |
| 32 | Toluca | +7.6% |
| 33 | Mexicali | +7.5% |
| 34 | Cuernavaca | +7.4% |
| 35 | La Paz | +7.2% |
| 36 | León | +6.6% |
Average annual pay per paid worker (MXN) (2023)
Mexicali ranks 14 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average annual pay per paid worker (MXN) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Matamoros | MXN 194,273 |
| 12 | Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas | MXN 193,701 |
| 13 | Coatzacoalcos | MXN 192,345 |
| 14 | Mexicali | MXN 189,770 |
| 15 | Sabinas | MXN 189,382 |
| 16 | Ciudad Acuña | MXN 186,857 |
| 17 | San Juan del Río | MXN 185,032 |
Gross value added per person employed (MXN) (2023)
Mexicali ranks 22 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gross value added per person employed (MXN) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Toluca | MXN 564,227 |
| 20 | Querétaro | MXN 562,289 |
| 21 | Veracruz | MXN 559,300 |
| 22 | Mexicali | MXN 556,217 |
| 23 | Manzanillo | MXN 553,076 |
| 24 | La Laguna | MXN 538,087 |
| 25 | Chihuahua | MXN 532,953 |
Women as a share of persons employed (2023)
Mexicali ranks 75 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Women as a share of persons employed |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Zacatecas-Guadalupe | 42.0% |
| 73 | Minatitlán | 42.0% |
| 74 | Ciudad Victoria | 41.9% |
| 75 | Mexicali | 41.9% |
| 76 | Mérida | 41.6% |
| 77 | Ocotlán | 41.6% |
| 78 | León | 41.6% |
Manufacturing share of persons employed (2023)
Mexicali ranks 16 of 107, highest first.
| Rank | City | Manufacturing share of persons employed |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Irapuato | 39.9% |
| 14 | Matehuala | 39.8% |
| 15 | Huamantla | 39.7% |
| 16 | Mexicali | 39.4% |
| 17 | Salamanca | 38.9% |
| 18 | Chihuahua | 38.8% |
| 19 | San Luis Potosí-Soledad de Graciano Sánchez | 38.6% |
More on Mexicali: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in Mexico
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI): Censos Económicos 2024 and 2019 (reference years 2023 and 2018), SAIC query: economic units, persons employed, pay, gross output, value added and investment by municipality (request body saved as saic-ce2024-totals-2018-2023.request.json), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 47e3a4e8a9f4…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI): Censos Económicos 2024 (reference year 2023), SAIC query: economic units and persons employed in manufacturing, retail, education services, health services and accommodation and food by municipality (request body saved as saic-ce2024-sectors-2023.request.json), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fea3ec2053c9…)
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