If you’re an international company looking to open operations or recruit talent in Mexico, it’s easy to default to Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey—and with good reason. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that Tijuana, Querétaro, and Ciudad Juárez are three of the most strategic, high-potential cities you should seriously consider.
I’ve had the chance to support hiring initiatives in all three cities over the past few years, and I’m here to break down why they deserve your attention—whether you’re staffing a call center, launching a manufacturing plant, or building out your bilingual support team.
1. Tijuana: A Gateway to the U.S. Market
Tijuana is often thought of as a border town, but in reality, it’s a major hub for manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, and digital services. With its close proximity to San Diego, companies in Tijuana benefit from cross-border collaboration, a strong binational talent pool, and faster logistics when shipping goods to U.S. markets.
Key industries:
- Medical devices (Medtronic, DJO Global)
- Electronics and consumer goods manufacturing (Foxconn, Panasonic)
- Aerospace (Zodiac Aerospace, Rockwell Collins)
- BPO and tech services
Why Tijuana works:
There’s a deep well of bilingual talent here—especially professionals who have either studied or worked in the U.S. or regularly commute across the border. That makes it ideal for customer service roles, inside sales, or any operation that needs strong English skills paired with cultural familiarity.
Tijuana also has a robust shelter manufacturing model, which allows foreign companies to operate under a local legal framework without having to incorporate a Mexican entity. This can significantly reduce the time and complexity of getting started.
2. Querétaro: The Rising Star of Central Mexico
I like to call Querétaro the Swiss Army knife of Mexican cities. It’s small but mighty, highly organized, and has quietly become a favorite for aerospace, IT, automotive, and logistics companies. Plus, it boasts some of the most stable infrastructure and public safety metrics in the country.
Key industries:
- Aerospace (Bombardier, Safran, Airbus)
- Automotive (Kia Motors, Brose, Continental)
- IT and tech services (Tata Consultancy Services, DXC Technology)
- Logistics and supply chain hubs
Why Querétaro works:
Querétaro is home to one of Mexico’s top aerospace clusters. If you’re building engineering teams or looking for specialized technicians, this is your spot. The city also has an educated workforce, thanks to universities like Universidad Aeronáutica en Querétaro (UNAQ), which tailors talent pipelines for industry needs.
And here’s a pro tip: because Querétaro isn’t oversaturated like CDMX or Guadalajara, competition for talent is less intense, and salaries can be more manageable—especially for high-quality bilingual professionals.
3. Ciudad Juárez: Industrial Powerhouse with U.S. Integration
Ciudad Juárez has been a manufacturing giant for decades, especially in the electronics, automotive, and medical device sectors. What’s changed in recent years is how integrated the city has become with U.S. supply chains. Located right across from El Paso, Texas, Juárez allows companies to scale quickly with close access to U.S. markets.
Key industries:
- Electronics (Flex, Foxconn, Lexmark)
- Medical devices (Cardinal Health, Johnson & Johnson)
- Automotive components (Lear Corporation, Bosch)
- Textiles and industrial goods
Why Ciudad Juárez works:
Juárez runs like a well-oiled machine when it comes to high-volume manufacturing. If you’re looking to set up operations that require precision, labor at scale, and cross-border logistics, this is a city that knows how to deliver.
That said, it’s also evolving. In recent years, Juárez has started to see more demand for bilingual office roles—think supply chain analysts, quality control, and customer service—especially from U.S. companies looking to reduce overhead without sacrificing communication quality.
So, Where Should You Hire?
It really comes down to what you’re building and what kind of talent you need.
- Need access to U.S. markets with strong bilingual customer service or sales teams? → Tijuana
- Looking for engineering talent or specialized roles in aerospace and IT? → Querétaro
- Need high-volume, cost-efficient manufacturing with integrated supply chains? → Ciudad Juárez
Each city has its own unique strengths, and when paired with the right Employer of Record (EOR) or recruitment partner, the process of hiring or expanding becomes much smoother. I always tell clients: don’t follow the herd—follow the opportunity. Mexico is full of it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right city isn’t just about talent availability—it’s about operational fit, local infrastructure, and long-term growth potential. Whether you’re launching your first team in Mexico or expanding an existing footprint, Tijuana, Querétaro, and Ciudad Juárez all offer strategic advantages that go beyond the surface.
If you’re unsure where to begin or how to structure your hiring strategy, feel free to reach out. We’ve worked with companies across all three of these markets and can help you find the best path forward—without the trial and error.
