Women in Querétaro Manufacturing: The Challenge Isn't Entry, It's Growth

Manufacturing remains the primary engine of employment in Querétaro. According to the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE), this sector concentrates approximately one-quarter of the employed population in the state, solidifying its position as a pillar of the state’s economy. However, as companies continue to expand operations and demand specialized personnel, a challenge persists beyond hiring: fostering greater participation of women in higher-paying positions with greater professional development opportunities.

A Persistent Gap

The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) reported that Querétaro registers a gender income gap of 19.6%, placing the state among those with significant challenges in wage equality. This figure represents a setback compared to the previous year, when the difference was 17.4%.

The wage gap measures the difference between the average income of men and women. Although specific public data for Querétaro’s manufacturing sector is not available, specialists indicate that the differences are often related to lower female representation in supervisory positions, specialized engineering, industrial maintenance, automation, and plant management.

Industry Seeks More Female Talent

The need for qualified personnel has become one of the main challenges for the Bajío manufacturing sector. Companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and metalworking sectors face increasing demand for technicians, engineers, and specialists.

The incorporation of more women represents an opportunity to strengthen industry competitiveness and expand the availability of specialized talent. In addition to increasing female participation in operational areas, the challenge lies in creating conditions that allow for professional growth within organizations.

Companies Advance in Workplace Equality

During 2025, Querétaro recognized 145 companies with the “Distintivo Sin Brecha” (No Gap Distinction), an initiative promoted by the state’s Ministry of Labor to encourage better workplace equality practices. These actions directly impact over 57,000 workers in the state.

Among the recognized companies are manufacturers in strategic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electrical, and industrial components. Participating organizations implement measures related to:

• Equal opportunities for promotions.
• Inclusive hiring processes.
• Prevention of workplace discrimination.
• Professional development for women.
• Strengthening a more equitable organizational culture.

A Competitive Factor for the Future

For a state that competes for

, leveraging available talent has become a strategic factor. IMCO estimates that greater economic participation of women can generate significant benefits for productivity and economic growth.

As manufacturing continues to expand and demand specialized profiles, the challenge is not solely to add more women to industrial plants. The next step is to promote their presence in positions where decisions are made, teams are led, and the future of Querétaro’s industry is built.

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