Mexico has been centralized as a strategic hub for electronics manufacturing on a global scale. In 2024, the U.S. imported $114.1B in finished electronics from Mexico, reflecting a 22.5% year-over-year increase, raising Mexico’s share of U.S. imports to 22%.
Mexico remains the overall top trading partner of the U.S. With specific regard to electronics manufacturing, Mexico imported $106.5B in electronics inputs and $69.6B in finished electronics in 2024.
In turn, the U.S. brought in $270.2B in inputs and $518.9B in finished goods, highlighting a bi-national ecosystem that expands co-specialization opportunities, accelerates time to market, and strengthens North American competitiveness in the sector. Further expansion in electronics manufacturing in Mexico is expected due to:
Approximately 65% of U.S. imports from Mexico in 2024 were intra-firm, compared to 46% from the rest of the world, signaling a well-integrated bi-national trade bloc.
Electronics manufacturing in Mexico has driven significant advances in the expansion of the IoT, 5G, and the adoption of sustainable practices.
In the first half of 2025, FDI into Mexico reached approximately USD $34.3B, an increase of over 10% year over year.
While manufacturing in Mexico, foreign companies can also develop a local market for their products.
Electronics manufacturing benefits a wide range of industries, including the semiconductor sector, with an estimated USD $13B market size in 2025.
Due to its proximity to the U.S., Baja California continues to be one of Mexico’s largest clusters of electronics manufacturing and suppliers.
Together with Baja California, Chihuahua is a dominant hub for electronics exports, totaling nearly $40B between the two.
Referred to as the “Mexican Silicon Valley,” electronics production in this region is recognized worldwide for its increased FDI, supply chains contributions, and new job opportunities over the past decade.
Computer CPU and memory chipsNetwork switchesIntegrated circuitsAudio and visual productsRoutersElectronics appliancesCircuit boardsAs a subsector of electronics manufacturing, semiconductor production in Mexico is on the fast track for expansion, making nearshoring part of a larger strategy of meeting market demand through lower-cost assembly, as well as fulfilling the growing need for R&D in the CHIPS market.
However, the emergence of semiconductor manufacturing in Mexico doesn’t fall under the traditional sector of electronics manufacturing alone. Other key sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing, all seek increasing chip production.
Fortunately, as this subsector continues to grow, manufacturers can rely on the historical advantages Mexico provides in terms of infrastructure and agility, with built-in advantages including:
Technological advancements have spearheaded the swift uptick of electronics manufacturing in Mexico. To stay competitive, manufacturers rely on Mexico for the advantages it presents in terms of cost savings and favorable geographic proximity, among other benefits, to expand production in a scalable way.
Collaborations between universities in the U.S. and Mexico focused on education and training technical talent have strengthened the number of qualified candidates entering the electronics manufacturing workforce each year.
Additionally, there is a 40-50% labor cost savings compared to U.S. salaries, and when combined with the steady availability of skilled talent and the lower overall operational costs of manufacturing in Mexico, it equals a proven formula that’s been successful for the past several decades.
| Position | Hourly Salary USD | Weekly Salary USD | Monthly Salary USD | Annual Salary USD |
| Non-Skilled Operator | $6.44 | $309.33 | $1,340.45 | $16,085.40 |
| Semi-Skilled Operator | $6.98 | $334.96 | $1,451.51 | $17,418.12 |
| Skilled Operator | $7.70 | $369.66 | $1,601.85 | $19,222.15 |
| Forklift Driver | $7.98 | $382.88 | $1,659.15 | $19,909.74 |
| Shipping Receiving Clerk | $8.77 | $421.08 | $1,824.69 | $21,896.27 |
| Line Leader | $9.39 | $450.67 | $1,952.90 | $23,434.85 |
| QA Inspector | $7.88 | $378.12 | $1,638.52 | $19,662.25 |
| Maintenance Tech | $12.21 | $586.30 | $2,540.63 | $30,487.59 |
| Receptionist | $10.77 | $516.81 | $2,239.52 | $26,874.29 |
| Production Supervisor | $21.33 | $1,023.86 | $4,436.73 | $53,240.73 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | $32.65 | $1,567.00 | $6,790.33 | $81,483.98 |
| Quality Supervisor | $22.72 | $1,090.32 | $4,724.73 | $56,696.71 |
| Buyer | $24.57 | $1,179.30 | $5,110.30 | $61,323.63 |
| Production Manager | $54.15 | $2,599.06 | $11,262.58 | $135,151.02 |
All wages are fully burdened and include all the costs the employer is required to pay on behalf of each employee.
Note: Costs include Mandatory Benefits, Additional Benefits that manufacturing operations offer, State Payroll Tax, Federal Taxes, and Social Benefits.
IVEMSA will create labor and benefit packages customized to keep you competitive and make you an attractive employer, regardless of where in Mexico you choose to set up your business.
Mexico has established production hubs in various regions, with many primed for electronics manufacturing in terms of diverse supply chains, vendors, and transportation.
Building availability includes systems and tenant requirements already in place, with capabilities to accommodate upgrades and future demands.
The majority of the new available buildings are Class A facilities located in either gated industrial parks or secured and standalone buildings. Existing industrial sites are available in A / new buildings, B / buildings that are 5 to 10 years old, and C / buildings that are 10+ years old. Lease terms are available from 3 to 10 years, with leasing rates ranging from:
| Class A | Class B | Class C |
| $0.65 – $0.75/sq. ft. | $0.59 – $0.64/sq. ft. | $0.55 – $0.60/sq. ft. |
In line with the class of building, sites have systems and capacities that meet both current tenant requirements and accommodate future growth or upgrade demands. Through IVEMSA’s customized site selection process, manufacturers can ensure they lease spaces that meet their manufacturing specifications.
Mexico has some of the most active border crossings and multi-transportation options in the world, including:
The enactment of the USMCA provides an opportunity for economic resilience within the North American bloc, complete with secure compliance measures and intellectual property protection.
The IMMEX Program (Manufacturing, Maquiladora, and Export Services Industry) is essential to manufacturing in Mexico. Manufacturers can temporarily import equipment, raw materials, and components as long as they’re used to produce goods for export.
As a companion to the IMMEX program approval, VAT Certification grants 16% VAT exemption on temporary imports of machinery, equipment, and raw materials used in the production, which accelerates cost savings for any manufacturing operation and has been a significant factor in its growth and continued foreign direct investment into Mexico.
Mexico’s shelter program is a unique business model that the majority of manufacturers choose. With flexible solutions, significant cost savings, and a quicker setup timeline, it’s the safest, fastest, and most cost-competitive way to launch manufacturing in Mexico.
| Working with IVEMSA | Working Alone | |
| Management Team | No need to hire personnel for administrative functions | Hire full administrative team |
| IT Administrative Platform | Included under IVEMSA Shelter Service | Licenses must be purchased and adapted to your MX operation |
| Consulting Advising | All Administrative consulting support included | Need to hire external advisors with different specialties |
| Supervision | Less training & supervision from HQ | Will significantly increase the need for supervision from HQ |
| Risk & Liability | 45+ Years of experience in setting up new operations in Mexico | Longer learning curve higher risk |
| Focus | Your team focus on manufacturing, quality and production | Managers will be distracted with daily administrative issues |
| Timing | Established team expert in manufacturing start-ups, typically 3 months after lease is executed | New team with limited experience on start-ups typically 6 to 7 months |
| Cost | Shelter cost is estimated to cost you 20% to 30% less vs operating alone | Higher overhead cost with less experience |
An additional benefit of operating under the shelter umbrella in Mexico is that it allows for a rapid start-up to operations. In as little as three months, you can be up and running. IVEMSA can provide the following services when you operate under our shelter:
Other companies that are incorporated independently in Mexico can still select individually from the above services to take advantage of the economies of scale offered by a shelter’s administrative services team. Either way, small and large operations receive the benefit of local experts and the cost savings created by a shelter.
Having a knowledgeable expert in Mexico allows your company to tap into networks and resources that assure you are getting the best value for your investment, as well as meeting all local, state, and federal regulations. Many companies start out with the shelter program then transition to a standalone entity. Whatever your choice, IVEMSA will fully support you with compliance and expertise every step of the way.
As companies seek strategic ways to save costs and meet growing market demand without compromising quality, Mexico manufacturing continues to be a favorable option. Whether you want to diversify production, benefit from a closer proximity to your main market, or explore the unique advantages it offers, including the availability of shelter services, we can tailor our solutions to meet your specific requirements.
For a more detailed analysis of cost savings for your operation, contact us to schedule a consultation.
ROBERTO DURAZO
VP Business Development
Email: robertod@ivemsa.com
Call & WhatsApp: +52 646 185 1681
IVEMSA is a comprehensive administrative services provider with nearly 45+ years of supporting foreign companies’ manufacturing operations in Mexico. We offer both shelter and standalone support services with a dedicated team of professionals in six functional areas. Many of the IVEMSA team members have been with the company for many years, building and mining the resources and network necessary to provide the smoothest manufacturing operations and shipping possible for companies from around the world. And no matter how the company has grown, the core values of honesty, integrity, hard work and customer satisfaction, remain at the heart of everything IVEMSA does.
Calzada Abelardo L. Rodríguez 885
Colonia Calles, Mexicali,
Baja California, México 21226
Torre Vinta, Piso 17 Oficina 1701
Blvd. Diaz Ordaz # 3065, Colonia
Santa Maria
Monterey, Nl Cp 64650
Via Corporativo Building
Misión de San Javier 10643, Zona Rio
Suite 421. 4to Piso
Tijuana, BC, Mexico 22010
1111 6th Avenue
Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92101
1778 Carr Road
Suite 1
Calexico, CA 92231
Contact us today and see how we can help you take advantage of all the benefits of manufacturing in Mexico - without the hassle.
