WELL THAT EXPLAINS ALOT

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of July 5, 2016

I was doing a little online research about some obscure Mexican history and, as web-surfing often does, I stumbled into some completely different stuff.

And, that led me to something else…and something else.

That’s why it’s called “web-surfing.” And there went my evening and my initial research.

I bumbled upon a couple of websites that post lists of the average wages for various Mexican jobs.

Take a look at some of the higher end occupations.

I looked at websites and divided by the current peso-to-dollar exchange rate of the devalued Mexico peso. It’s 18 pesos for one U.S. dollar right now.

Compare them to your own job. Would you be willing to work for these paychecks? Ready to apply?

Remember these are the jobs that require either a bit of education or at least a good chunk of experience. They show median salaries for these job categories.

Of course, these are general and salaries vary from area-to-area. There are also other variables to factor into the equation like experience; city; specific industry, etc.

These might surprise you.  I did a double-take myself…

 

Operations Manager – $28,016 per year ($2334 per month)

 

Information Technician – $27,031 per year ($2252 per month)

 

Softwear Engineer – $15,132 per year ($1261 per month)

 

Design Architect – $10,237 per year ($853 per month)

 

Physician (General Practice) – $13,080 per year ($1090 per month)

 

Graphic Designer – $7560 per year ($630 per month)

 

Check out what your average State and Federal Mexican police officer pulls home (before taxes, etc.)

 

State Police Officer – $6,666 per year ($555 per month)

 

Federal Police Officer – $8000 per year ($666 per month)

 

Municipal police officers make a lot less.

 

Contrary to the stereotype, there are many good, hard-working and dedicated law enforcement officers in Mexico. But, you can imagine the temptation to either accept bribes; look the other way (“They don’t pay me enough to risk my neck or my family!”) or outright participate in criminal activity.

Now…

Take a look at your average worker in Mexico. These are the good folks most tourists run into on a daily basis on their vacations.

As of the beginning of 2016, the average minimum wage in Mexico was raised to a whopping (drumroll please)…

$73.04 pesos…or about $4.05 PER DAY.

That’s not per hour. That’s what you would earn PER DAY if you were an average employee or general laborer in Mexico.

And yes, taxes are technically deducted just like anywhere else. Maybe union fees, social security, etc. That’s an astronomical gross of $28 bucks a week!

Your working day can be 8-12 hours per day or longer. There are no regulations really on how long you have to work. I know guys who work 10-15 hours regularly. And no overtime!

You go 6-7 days per week. Do the math and you’ll get pretty depressed fast.

It kinda helps explain the immigration situation a bit. It’s why your local Home Depot has a ready labor group willing to paint your fence.

What would YOU do if you had a family to feed and you pulled down less than $30 per week?

And, at the rate the peso is falling in the market, you’re earning even less than ever and it’s not looking good!

So, what must your average hotel employee think as Americans toss $20 bills around. Or we think no big thing of $100 dinners.

Leaving two bucks on the dresser of your hotel room for the maid is a ½ day salary for her. Imagine receiving a tip at your own job worth ½ of your daily salary.

Here’s some other general minimum salaries to take a look at:

 

Chain Grocery Store Cashier – $4.92 per day ($34.44 per week)

 

Security Guard – $5.23 per day ($36.67 per week)

 

Hotel Maid – $5.37 per day ($37.59 per week)

 

Electrician – $5.55 per day ($38.85 per week)

 

Mechanic – $583 per day ($40.83 per week)

 

Bartender – $5.36 per day ($37.58 per week)

 

Janitor – $4.05 per day ($28 per week)

 

So, let’s see. If you make 4 bucks a day and your boss makes you work a 12 hour day. You work 6 days a week you’re pulling about 38 cents-an-hour for a $28 work week.

You and I both know folks that won’t get out’ve bed for $28 an hour, let alone $28 a week.

My point being is that the next time you visit Mexico, you might see the taxi driver; or the waiter; or the lady sweeping up your beer cans a little differently. Or the police officer. A different perpective for sure.

It’s pretty harsh where someone like a Mexican doctor makes less than a high school kid at McDonalds back home. And depressing.

And makes you a little grateful for your own opportunities and blessings and a little more tolerant and appreciative too.

That’s my story

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004.  Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico  www.tailhunter-international.com.  They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront.  If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com  or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

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