WASHINGTON, D.C.— Nearly 70,000 people are employed by the plastics industry in Michigan, giving the state the third-largest plastics workforce in the nation, according to the latest edition of the Size and Impact Report released today by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS).
The 2026 Size and Impact Report highlights the plastics industry’s broad economic footprint across the United States, including a presence in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Michigan ranked third in plastics industry employment in 2025, behind Texas and Ohio.
Notable findings from the report include:
- Michigan ranked third in the nation in plastics industry employment in 2025 with 69,000 employees, behind Texas (91,600) and Ohio (77,500).
- The U.S. plastics industry accounted for more than one million jobs (1,049,200) and $533.6 billion in shipments in 2025.
- Including suppliers, plastics-related employment rises to 1.66 million jobs, with total shipments reaching $715.8 billion.
- From 2015 to 2025, plastics manufacturing employment grew at an average annual rate of 0.8%, outpacing overall manufacturing employment growth of 0.3%.
- Plastic products manufacturing ranked as the eighth-largest U.S. manufacturing industry by gross output in 2024 (the latest year for which data is available).
“Michigan has a strong manufacturing base, and the plastics industry is an important part of that economy,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS President and CEO. “With 69,000 plastics industry employees, Michigan ranks among the top three states in the country, supporting manufacturers, supply chains and communities across the state. That strength is driven by the people and companies producing the materials and products Americans rely on every day.”
“Michigan’s ranking among the nation’s top three states for plastics sector employment underscores the industry’s significant role in the state’s economy,” said Dr. Perc Pineda, PLASTICS Chief Economist. “With 69,000 employees in 2025, the plastics industry is a significant contributor to Michigan’s manufacturing economy and an important part of the broader U.S. industrial base.”
Click here to read the 2026 Size and Impact Report Executive Summary. To request a copy of the full report, please email Allie Richardson arichardson@plasticsindustry.org.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $533.6 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
