Background on Teacher Salaries in Mexico
As of the third quarter of 2024, according to DataMéxico, a platform by the Secretaría de Economía, the average monthly salary for a primary school teacher in Mexico was $7,890 pesos. The average age of middle and high school teachers was 46 years, with the workforce distributed as 53.4% male teachers earning an average salary of $11,000 pesos and 46.6% female teachers earning an average salary of $9,000 pesos.
6 Key Points on Teacher Salary Increase
In honor of Teacher’s Day, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a series of measures directly impacting teachers’ working conditions. Here are the most important details:
1. 10% Total Salary Increase for 2025
Teachers will receive a 9% salary increase retroactive to January 1, 2025, along with an additional 1% starting in September. This adjustment represents a budget of 36,000 million pesos.
2. One Extra Week of Vacation
The teaching vacation period will be extended. Starting this year, an extra week of rest will be added for teachers as recognition of their extended work schedule before and after the official school calendar.
3. Goodbye to USICAMM
The Unidad del Sistema para la Carrera de las Maestras y Maestros (USICAMM) will be replaced. The new model will be constructed in collaboration with the teaching community, putting an end to a system widely criticized for its bureaucracy and rigidity.
4. Improved Labor Mobility
A decree will be signed to facilitate teachers’ adscription changes, prioritizing seniority. The goal is for them to work closer to their families and improve their quality of life.
5. ISSSTE Reform Review
President Sheinbaum proposed a working table with the teaching community to explore alternatives that reduce the negative impact on their retirement rights. Meanwhile, the retirement age for those in the transitional regime will be frozen.
6. More Than a Million Teachers Basified and Continued Salary Increase
President Sheinbaum highlighted that nearly a million teachers have been basified, and policies from the 2013 Educational Reform have been reversed. The commitment is to continue improving teachers’ working conditions.
Key Entities and Relevance
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, has been a significant figure in education reform since taking office. As the head of the local government, she has focused on improving teachers’ welfare and conditions. This announcement directly impacts over a million educators across Mexico, addressing critical concerns like salary, work-life balance, and retirement benefits.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the total salary increase for teachers in 2025? Teachers will receive a 10% total salary increase, with a 9% retroactive to January 1, 2025, and an additional 1% starting in September.
- What extra benefits do teachers receive? Teachers will now have one extra week of vacation, the USICAMM system will be replaced, labor mobility will be improved, and retirement age adjustments will be reviewed.
- How many teachers have been affected by the basification process? Nearly a million teachers have been basified, ensuring better working conditions and retirement benefits.
- What is the current average salary for primary school teachers in Mexico? As of the third quarter of 2024, the average monthly salary for a primary school teacher in Mexico was $7,890 pesos.
