LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.7 percent during August, according to data released today by the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Both total employment and unemployment in the state rose over the month, resulting in a labor force gain of 25,000 since July.

“Despite a minor jobless rate increase over the month, Michigan’s labor force has continued to see strong growth this year,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director of the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Both the total number of people in the labor force and the labor force participation rate are at three-year highs.”

The national jobless rate advanced by three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.8 percent over the month. Michigan’s August rate was one-tenth of a percentage point below the U.S. rate. The national unemployment rate edged up by one-tenth of a percentage point over the year. Michigan’s jobless rate receded by six-tenths of a percentage point since August 2022.   

Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s unemployment rate increased over the month for the first time since October 2022.
• The state’s total workforce rose by 0.5 percent over the month, an increase comparable to the labor force advance seen nationally (+0.4 percent).
• Michigan’s over-the-year percentage employment gain of 3.2 percent was 1.4 percentage points above the U.S. total employment increase (+1.8 percent).
• The August statewide labor force participation rate advanced by three-tenths of a percentage point to 61.3 percent over the month, while Michigan’s employment-population ratio increased by 0.2 percentage points to 59.0 percent.

Detroit metro area unemployment rate increases in August

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate advanced by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.2 percent. Employment in the Detroit metro area increased by 9,000 and unemployment rose by 5,000, resulting in a workforce gain of 14,000 during August.

The Detroit MSA jobless rate was reduced by three-tenths of a percentage point over the year. Employment increased by 56,000 and unemployment fell by 6,000. The region’s labor force rose by 50,000 since August 2022.

Michigan nonfarm employment up slightly in August

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs rose slightly by 5,000 over the month, resulting in a job total of 4,439,000. This caused payroll jobs to be essentially flat since June, as the July payroll jobs total was revised downward by 5,000. Minor employment changes were seen across multiple statewide industries during August.  

Industry employment trends and highlights

• The most pronounced over-the-month numerical industry employment gains occurred in the state’s government (+3,000) and leisure and hospitality (+3,000) sectors.
• Jobs decreased in the state’s professional and business services sector for the second consecutive month, with employment reducing by 10,000 since June 2023.
• Over the year, Michigan's total nonfarm employment rose by 54,000, or 1.2 percent.
• The largest over-the-year numerical industry job gains occurred in the state’s government (+19,000) and education and health services (+18,000) industries.
• On a percentage basis, Michigan’s construction industry recorded the largest over-the-year industry employment gain (+4.4 percent).
• Average weekly earnings in the state’s manufacturing industry rose by 1.2 percent since August 2022.

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

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