LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate was unchanged over the month at 4.1 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Statewide employment edged up by 2,000, while total unemployment was unchanged. Michigan’s September workforce was essentially unchanged over the month, inching up by 2,000 since August.

“Michigan’s September labor market continued to remain stable,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Both the statewide jobless rate and payroll jobs remained unchanged since August.”

The national unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.5 percent. Michigan’s September jobless rate was 0.6 percentage points larger than the U.S. rate. The national rate declined by 1.2 percentage points over the year, while the statewide rate fell by 1.6 percentage points since September 2021.

Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s employment level was nearly unchanged over the month, comparable to the 0.1 percentage increase seen on a national level.
• The statewide over-the-year unemployment reduction of 25.8 percent was also similar to the unemployment change seen in the U.S. (-25.0 percent).
• The September statewide labor force participation rate remained at 60.1 percent for the fourth consecutive month. Similarly, Michigan’s employment-population ratio remained unchanged at 57.6 percent for the third successive month. Both September 2022 measures remained below their February 2020 values (61.1 percent and 58.8 percent, respectively).
• Michigan’s third-quarter average jobless rate of 4.1 percent was two-tenths of a percentage point below the unemployment rate seen during the prior quarter.

Detroit metro area jobless rate declines in September

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate receded to 3.7 percent over the month. Reductions in both the Detroit MSA employment and unemployment totals resulted in a workforce drop of 6,000 since August.

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate fell by 2.2 percentage points over the year. Employment increased by 40,000, while unemployment fell by 49,000 since September 2021.

Michigan payroll jobs unchanged over the month

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs remained unchanged between August and September, with a total job count of 4,358,000. Minor employment changes occurred throughout multiple industries during September.   

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Michigan’s construction sector demonstrated the largest numerical over-the-month increase in employment, with jobs advancing by 3,000 since August.
• After two consecutive months of payroll employment increases, the state’s leisure and hospitality sector exhibited a minor reduction in jobs over the month (-2,000).
• September statewide nonfarm jobs were 95,000, or 2.1 percent, below its February 2020 pre-pandemic level.
• Michigan total payroll employment rose by 135,000, or 3.2 percent, over the year.  
• On a numerical basis, the most pronounced over-the-year industry employment gain occurred in the state’s professional and business services sector (+30,000).  
• Michigan’s third quarter average employment total was 34,000, or 0.8 percent, larger than the average job total during the prior quarter.

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

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