LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9 percent between January and February, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Employment in the state edged up by 2,000, while unemployment was reduced by 4,000 over the month. The statewide workforce inched down by 1,000 in February.        

“Michigan’s unemployment rate and labor force levels remained relatively stable in February,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs showed significant gains over January.”

The national jobless rate advanced by 0.2 percentage points over the month to 3.9 percent. Michigan’s unemployment rate matched the U.S. unemployment rate during February. Over the year, the U.S. unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points, while Michigan’s rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point since February 2023.

Labor force trends and highlights

• After eight months of surpassing the national rate, Michigan’s jobless rate matched the U.S. rate (3.9 percent) during February 2024.
• The statewide unemployment level receded by 2.0 percent over the month, while the national unemployment total expanded by 5.5 percent since January.
• Michigan’s workforce rose by 1.9 percent over the year, an increase over double the labor force increase seen nationally (+0.7 percent).
• The February statewide labor force participation rate was reduced by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 62.2 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio remained unchanged at 59.8 percent during February.

Detroit metro area unemployment rate recedes in February

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.8 percent in February. The region’s workforce edged down by 1,000 over the month.

The Detroit MSA jobless rate rose by 0.4 percentage points over the year. Employment increased by 42,000 and unemployment advanced by 12,000 since February 2023.  

Michigan payroll employment increases during February

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment rose by 15,000, or 0.3 percent, resulting in a job total of 4,472,000 in February.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• The most pronounced over-the-month numerical industry employment gains occurred in the state’s private education and health services (+9,000) and government (+4,000) sectors.
• Employment in the state’s construction sector edged up for the fourth consecutive month, with jobs increasing by 6,000 since October 2023.
• Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs were 37,000, or 0.8 percent, above its February 2023 level and 24,000, or 0.5 percent, above its February 2020 pre-pandemic level.
• The most significant over-the-year numerical industry job gains occurred in the state’s government (+21,000) and private education and health services (+20,000) sectors.
• On a percentage basis, Michigan’s construction sector observed the largest over-the-year industry employment gain (+3.8 percent).

Detroit metro area unemployment rate recedes in February

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.8 percent in February. The region’s workforce edged down by 1,000 over the month.

The Detroit MSA jobless rate rose by 0.4 percentage points over the year. Employment increased by 42,000 and unemployment advanced by 12,000 since February 2023.  

For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.

###