I just checked how much a lieutenant earns in the Mexican Army, and I was quite surprised. It’s not what one would expect compared to other jobs. A lieutenant earns around 25,977 pesos per month, which adds up to nearly 312,000 pesos annually. But the interesting part is that higher ranks do exceed a million annually.

My curiosity led me to research the entire salary table. It turns out that to join as a professional soldier, you need to study in the Military Education System, either at the Heroic Military College or specialized schools. A basic soldier earns 18,840 pesos per month, which is honestly decent compared to other entry-level jobs in Mexico.

What really catches the eye is how the salary changes as you advance. How much a lieutenant earns is just the beginning of the professional scale. A First Captain already earns 42,979 pesos, a Major 49,769, and when you reach Colonel, we’re talking about 91,027 pesos per month. Division Generals reach 133,503 pesos a month, which definitely exceeds a million a year.

In addition to the base salary, military personnel have benefits that are not negligible: a 40-day Christmas bonus, a 20-day vacation premium, a food allowance between 1,515 and 1,640 pesos, transportation allowance of 985 pesos, and a technical allowance of an extra 40%. That explains why many people consider a military career in Mexico to be a serious option.

If someone asked me how much a lieutenant earns today in 2026, I would say that the salary is competitive, but the real appeal lies in the benefits and the possibility of promotion. Higher ranks offer quite solid income for Mexico.