A general nurse in Mexico earns roughly $10,000 to $18,000 MXN per month (≈$575–$1,050 USD) at IMSS, and with a nursing degree the range climbs to about $22,500–$24,900 (≈$1,300–$1,450 USD) under the IMSS Bienestar program. At ISSSTE the pay varies far more with rank and seniority: from around $9,000 (≈$500 USD) up to more than $40,000 (≈$2,300 USD) per month in senior positions. The institution, academic degree, and years of service move the number more than anything else. (All conversions at 17.42 MXN/USD, July 2026.)
This guide breaks those ranges down by institution and explains what drives nursing pay in Mexico, using approximate figures from the public health-sector pay scales and official employment and income sources.
How much do nurses earn by institution?
The public sector accounts for most nursing employment in Mexico, and each institution has its own pay scale. These are the approximate ranges reported in public health-sector tables:
| Institution / level | Approx. monthly pay |
|---|---|
| General nurse (IMSS) | $10,000 – $18,000 MXN (≈$575–$1,050 USD) |
| Nursing degree (IMSS Bienestar) | $22,500 – $24,900 MXN (≈$1,300–$1,450 USD) |
| Nursing (ISSSTE, by rank) | $9,000 – over $40,000 MXN (≈$500–$2,300 USD) |
The gap between a general nurse and one with a degree or specialty is wide: the academic level can nearly double base pay. At ISSSTE the spread is even broader because higher-ranking positions —head nurse roles, surgical specialties, intensive care— reach salaries above $40,000 (≈$2,300 USD) monthly with seniority. You can review employer registration and social-security benefits directly on the IMSS employers portal.
On top of base pay, the health sector adds several line items worth understanding before you negotiate:
- Seniority bonuses: raises for every five years of service in tenured posts.
- On-call and night shifts: paid as an add-on to the base scale.
- Statutory benefits: Christmas bonus, vacation premium, and social security, the same as any formal job.
- Zone or risk pay: some posts in hard-to-reach or high-risk areas pay a premium.
The 3 factors that raise a nursing salary most
1. Academic degree
Moving from auxiliary or general nurse to a nursing degree is the most profitable jump: at IMSS Bienestar the degree runs about $22,500–$24,900 (≈$1,300–$1,450 USD) versus $10,000–$18,000 for a general nurse. A specialty (surgical, pediatric, critical care) adds another tier above that.
2. Seniority and type of position
In the public sector, pay grows with seniority and with the rank of the position. A tenured post with years of service, plus seniority bonuses and benefits, can double the income of an entry-level position. That is why the ISSSTE range starts near $9,000 (≈$500 USD) and reaches over $40,000 (≈$2,300 USD).
3. Shift and on-call duty
Night shifts, on-call duty, and holidays are paid separately. A nurse who covers high-demand shifts can add a meaningful percentage to their monthly base pay without changing positions.
What about private and administrative roles in health care?
Beyond public institutions, private hospitals and insurers hire both clinical staff and administrative and finance profiles to operate. While Talentosy's job board focuses on professional and corporate functions —not clinical nursing posts— it does show medians for the administrative roles that surround health care. For example, a finance and accounting role in Mexico City has a median of $55,750 MXN/mo (≈$3,200 USD) across active listings. If you want to move from clinical work into hospital management, review those medians on our salary data pages.
How to verify what you should earn
To benchmark your pay against the national average for your occupation, the public reference is the National Survey of Occupation and Employment (ENOE) by INEGI, which publishes income by occupation and state. Combine it with the pay scale of the institution where you want to work so you arrive at an interview with objective figures. If you also have a technical background, compare it against what, for example, a systems engineer in Mexico earns before deciding your career path.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a general nurse earn at IMSS?
Roughly $10,000 to $18,000 MXN monthly (≈$575–$1,050 USD), depending on the pay scale and seniority. With a nursing degree under IMSS Bienestar the range rises to about $22,500–$24,900 (≈$1,300–$1,450 USD).
How much does a nurse with a degree earn?
With a degree, income runs about $22,500–$24,900 (≈$1,300–$1,450 USD) at IMSS Bienestar, and at ISSSTE it can be higher by rank and seniority, reaching over $40,000 (≈$2,300 USD) in senior positions.
Where do nurses earn more, IMSS or ISSSTE?
ISSSTE has a wider spread: its higher-ranking positions exceed $40,000 (≈$2,300 USD) monthly, while IMSS offers tighter ranges of $10,000 to $24,900. In both, academic degree and seniority are decisive.
Are these salaries net or gross?
They are approximate gross figures from public pay scales, before taxes and contributions. Net pay depends on your tax situation and benefits. For national income averages by occupation, see the ENOE by INEGI.
Looking to change direction or add an administrative health-care role? Explore the active openings by city and area or go straight to Talentosy's job board — updated every week.
