LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate was constant at 3.9 percent between February and March, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Employment advanced by 8,000, while unemployment fell by 3,000, resulting in a statewide labor force increase of 5,000 over the month.

“Michigan’s March labor market continued to remain constant over the month, with gains in employment and total workforce,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs also edged up since February.”

The national jobless rate was reduced by 0.1 percentage points to 3.8 percent in March. Michigan’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point larger than the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points, while Michigan’s rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point since March 2023.      

Labor force trends and highlights

• Total employment in the state rose by 0.2 percent over the month, an increase close to the employment gain seen nationally (+0.3 percent).
• Statewide unemployment advanced by 6.0 percent over the year, while the U.S. unemployment total rose by 9.6 percent since March 2023.
• Michigan’s first quarter of 2024 average unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, 0.2 percentage points below the average jobless rate from the prior quarter.
• The March statewide labor force participation rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 62.3 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio also rose by 0.1 percentage points to 59.9 percent during March.

Detroit metro area unemployment rate stays constant in March

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent during March. The region’s workforce was unchanged over the month.

The Detroit MSA jobless rate advanced by 0.6 percentage points over the year. Employment increased by 33,000, and unemployment rose by 13,000 since March 2023.  

Michigan payroll employment edges up in March

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased slightly by 6,000, or 0.1 percent, over the month. This month’s employment gain was primarily a result of job additions within the state’s construction industry.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Michigan’s construction sector exhibited the largest over-the-month numerical job gain, with employment rising by 4,000 since February.
• Statewide quarterly average nonfarm employment advanced by 15,000, or 0.3 percent, since fourth quarter 2023
• On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs were 36,000, or 0.8 percent, above its year-ago level.
• Since March 2023, the state’s government (+23,000) and private education and health services (+17,000) sectors recorded the most pronounced numerical job additions.
• On a percentage basis, Michigan’s construction sector observed the largest over-the-year industry employment gain (+6.6 percent).

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

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