When it comes to choosing a university major, many factors come into play: one’s true calling, personal skills, and even future career and financial expectations once studies have been completed. The truth is—contrary to what we have been led to believe—not every bachelor’s degree guarantees a future free from financial stress.
The reality in Mexico is that young people face an increasing number of obstacles when entering the workforce after graduation, such as a lack of formal job opportunities in their field or low wages. This leads many to think twice before choosing a major; indeed, as clearly demonstrated by the IMCO’s Compara Carreras (Career Comparison) index, the wage gap between certain degree programs can be abysmal.
Which majors are the lowest-paying in Mexico?
According to INEGI data cited by Indeed, the average monthly salary in Mexico for men aged 25 to 34 is 6,559 pesos, while for women in the same age range, it is 5,740 pesos. However, these figures can be higher for university graduates. In fact, according to the IMCO, professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn 78% more than those who hold only a high school diploma.
Nevertheless, not all majors command the same salary. The Compara Carreras ranking shows that the bachelor’s degrees with the lowest earnings in our country are the following:
Educational Guidance and Intervention
14,238 pesos
Food Industry
14,585 pesos
Social Work and Care
14,988 pesos
Teacher Training for Basic Education (Preschool Level)
15,495 pesos
Therapy and Rehabilitation
15,726 pesos
Criminology and Forensic Science
16,178 pesos
Teacher Training for Basic Education (Primary Level)
16,237 pesos
Curriculum Design and Pedagogy
16,516 pesos
Nutrition
16,646 pesos
Sports
16,729 pesos
In contrast, the IMCO ranks the following bachelor’s degrees as the highest-paying in the country today:
Multidisciplinary or General Programs in Information and Communication Technology Innovation
25,761 pesos
General Medicine
25,732 pesos
Public Administration
25,678 pesos
Political Science
25,288 pesos
Construction and Civil Engineering
25,259 pesos
Electronics, Automation, and Electromechanical Applications
25,203 pesos
Architecture and Urban Planning
24,874 pesos
Mechanics and Professions Related to Metalworking
24,140 pesos
Software Development (Innovation)
24,063 pesos
Law
23,991 pesos
There Will Be Over 28 Million Professionals in Mexico by 2050
The Compara Carreras analysis revealed further information regarding the employment landscape for young people in our country. For instance, it notes that currently, 34% of young people between the ages of 18 and 22 access higher education. This means that by 2050, the number of higher education graduates will triple. However, 65% of them will be concentrated in traditional fields of study. If current trends persist, there will be 28.7 million people in the country holding degrees in low-demand fields. The IMCO warns that the country continues to have unfilled vacancies in strategic sectors such as healthcare, energy, and information technology. Furthermore, it warned of a crisis in technical training, noting that by 2050, the workforce will face a shortfall of 300,000 technicians in sectors deemed strategic under the “Plan México” initiative.
Finally, it pointed out that jobs such as data analysts and artificial intelligence specialists are at the forefront of global expansion. Despite this, Mexico is not producing enough professionals in these fields, as graduates in the exact sciences and computer science account for a mere 8% of the total.
Source: msn
