Formal jobs at a record and base wage rising above inflation: how to check that your employer registered you
Mexico reached 22.7 million jobs registered with the IMSS, its highest level, with a base contribution wage of 669.1 pesos a day, up 6.4% from a year earlier. In a tourism economy like Cancún's, being registered defines your pension and benefits.
Formal employment in Mexico remains at record highs. As of the end of June 2026, the country registered 22,779,704 jobs affiliated with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the highest figure on record for any June. In the first half of the year 262,628 new jobs were added and, year over year, there are 454,038 more positions than in June 2025.
Two figures matter directly to your wallet. First: the base contribution wage —the salary your employer reports to the IMSS— reached 669.1 pesos a day, an annual increase of 6.4%, above inflation. Second: of all jobs, 86.9% are permanent and 13.1% are temporary; permanent positions total 19,804,609, also a record.
Why this matters in Cancún: the local economy runs on tourism and highly seasonal services, where permanent contracts, temporary hires and, in some cases, unregistered staff coexist. Being registered with the IMSS —at the correct salary— is no minor formality: your medical care, paid sick leave, Infonavit housing loan and your future pension all depend on it. If your employer reports you at a lower-than-real salary, you pay less today, but tomorrow your pension and benefits will be smaller.
What you can do today (for free):
- Check whether you are registered and at what salary. Download the app or log in to IMSS Digital with your CURP and NSS, or review your contribution weeks on the IMSS website. There you can see your registration dates, your reported salary and the companies that have reported you.
- Compare it with your pay stub. If the salary your employer reports is lower than what you earn, you can file a complaint with the IMSS.
- If you do not appear registered, your employer is required to enroll you from day one. You can report it anonymously to the IMSS and the Labor Ministry.
- Get your NSS online if you do not have one: it is free on the IMSS website with your CURP, and you need it for any medical or pension procedure.
Record formal employment is good news, but it only helps you if you are inside that statistic and at your real salary. Checking it takes a few minutes and can be worth years of benefits.
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