Occupation (8161) - 2026-Q1
The workforce of Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices during first quarter of 2026 was 135k people, whose salary averaged $7.58k MX working around 46 hours per week.
The average age of Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices was 37.4 years. The workforce was distributed in 69% men with an average salary of $7.72k MX and, 31% women with average salary of $7.29k MX.
The best average salaries received by Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices were in Colima ($11.7k MX), Baja California ($11.7k MX), and Hidalgo ($11.1k MX) while the workforce was larger in Jalisco (27.2k), Estado de México (19.7k), and Nuevo León (11.6k).
In terms of industries, the best average salaries were in Cattle Raising ($16.9k MX), Legal Services ($12k MX), and Business Administration Services ($10.8k MX), while the workforce was concentrated on Legal Services (5.45k), Retail Trade of Groceries and Food (1.85k), and Cattle Raising (11.4%).
33.1% of the total informal workers correspond to women with an average salary of $6.6k MX and 66.9% to men with an average salary of $9.94k MX.
At the level of states, Sinaloa had the highest percentage of informal workers with 44.7% corresponding to 1.48k from 3.32k workers, while the state with the lowest percentage of informal workers was Estado de México with a 0.72% corresponding to 143 from 19.7k workers.
At first quarter of 2026, the people who worked as Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices were 135k being a 3.93% lower than the fourth quarter of 2025. (141k).
In the same period, an average salary of $7.58k MX was observed, registering an increase of 5.02%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 ($7.22k MX).
The states with the highest number of Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices during the first quarter of 2026 were Jalisco (27.2k), Estado de México (19.7k), and Nuevo León (11.6k)
Comparing the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2026, the main positive variations occurred in Jalisco and Ciudad de México with an increase of 6.05k (28.6%) and 5.68k (298%), respectively. On the other hand, the negative variations were accentuated in Guanajuato and Estado de México with a decrease of 10.2k (69.5%) and 8.14k (29.2%), respectively.
The states with the best average salaries for Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices during first quarter of 2026 were Colima ($11.7k MX), Baja California ($11.7k MX), and Hidalgo ($11.1k MX)
Comparing the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2026, the positive salary growth was higher in Chiapas and Estado de México with an increase of $4.95k MX (156%) and $4.92k MX (101%), respectively. Por otro lado, las variaciones salariales negativas se acentuaron en Ciudad de México and Tamaulipas with a decrease of $12.1k MX (67.3%) and $6.44k MX (78.6%), respectively.
Average Age 2026-Q1
At first quarter of 2026, the male workforce in Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices represented the 69% of the employed population and women 31%. The male and female workforce was higher in the age group 35 to 44 years (23.1k men and 16.7k women).
The highest average salary was $10.5k MX received by men from 25 to 34 years, while the lowest average salary was $6.3k MX received by women from 25 to 34 years.
* The data regarding salaries have low statistical precision so it should not be used as conclusions.
Average Schooling in Years (2026-Q1)
During the first quarter of 2026, male and female workforce in Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices was concentrated in the educational segment with 7 to 9 years of schooling (42.5k men and 20.7k women).
The highest average salary was $8.78k MX received by men with 10 to 12 years of schooling, while the lowest average salary was $7.31k MX received by women with 10 to 12 years of schooling.
* The data regarding salaries have low statistical precision so it should not be used as conclusions.
The visualization shows the distribution of Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices in different industries and economic sectors.
At first quarter of 2026, the workforce was higher in Legal Services (61.8%), Retail Trade of Groceries and Food (21%), and Cattle Raising (11.4%).
In the same period, the best average salaries were received in Cattle Raising ($16.9k MX), Legal Services ($12k MX), and Business Administration Services ($10.8k MX).
Labor Informality 2026-Q1
During the first quarter of 2026, the labor informality of Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices reached a 9.83%, which implied an increase from 4.58 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 (5.25%).
The labor informality of this occupation was lower than informality at the country level in 45 percentage points during the first quarter of 2026.
Greater Labor Informality: 44.7%, Sinaloa
Less Labor Informality: 0.72 %, Estado de México
At first quarter of 2026, the states with the highest rate of labor informality in Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices were Sinaloa (44.7%), Morelos (35%), and Baja California (28.9%).
The states with the lowest informality rate were Nuevo León (3.95%), Coahuila de Zaragoza (3.81%), and Estado de México (0.72%).
The workforce of Machine Operators in Food Processing, Oil, Grease, Salt and Spices during the first quarter of 2026 was higher in the age group with 35 to 44 years concentrating 39.8k workers of which 93.1% corresponds to formal employment (37.1k) and 6.88% to informal employment (2.74k).
Regarding the schooling years, the workforce was higher in the range with 7 to 9 years of schooling concentrating 63.2k workers of which 94.9% corresponds to formal employment (60k) and 5.06% corresponds to informal employment (3.2k).