Waste Management Companies in Mexico (2025)

Working in Mexico's Waste Management Industry

Mexico's waste sector is a study in contrasts. In major cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, you'll find modern facilities operated by international companies like Veolia, paying competitive wages and offering professional development. Outside the metros, the industry is more informal, with smaller operators and municipal services that may lack the resources of their big-city counterparts. For job seekers, this means understanding which tier of the market you're targeting.

Pay varies dramatically by role and location. A driver for a major private hauler in Mexico City might earn 12,000–18,000 MXN per month plus benefits (IMSS, aguinaldo, vacations), while MRF workers typically start around 8,000–12,000 MXN monthly. Technical roles—facility operators, maintenance technicians, environmental compliance specialists—can command 20,000–35,000 MXN or more, especially if you have bilingual skills and can work with international standards. Hazardous waste and industrial services tend to pay better because the work requires certifications and carries more responsibility.

Language matters more than you might think. If you're bilingual (Spanish/English) and can read technical documentation, troubleshoot equipment, or communicate with multinational clients, you're significantly more valuable. Companies operating across the US–Mexico border or serving maquiladoras actively look for these skills. Also, don't overlook the cement co-processing sector—companies like Regenera (CEMEX) and Geocycle (Holcim) offer interesting careers in alternative fuel preparation and industrial waste management, often with better pay and working conditions than traditional collection services.

Segments

Representative Operators (National / Regional)

Municipal & State Roles

Municipal waste services in Mexico can be surprisingly stable employers, especially in larger cities. Permanent municipal positions often include IMSS coverage, pension contributions, and job protections that private sector roles may lack. However, these jobs can be harder to access—they may require local residency, connections, or navigating bureaucratic hiring processes. When concessions change hands (which happens periodically as contracts expire), private sector workers may face uncertainty about their positions under new operators.

If you're interested in municipal work, keep an eye on official city portals and attend public job fairs. In Mexico City, for instance, the Secretaría de Obras y Servicios periodically posts openings. Smaller municipalities may advertise less formally, so building relationships with current employees and staying visible in the community can help. Private concessionaires often hire when they win new contracts, so following industry news about tender awards gives you advance notice of hiring waves.

Trends for 2025