LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged for the third consecutive month at 4.3 percent, according to data released today by the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment in the state rose by 8,000 and unemployment receded by 2,000 over the month, resulting in a labor force increase of 6,000 during February.      

“Michigan’s labor market was stable in February,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director of Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs rose for the fourth consecutive month.”   

The national unemployment rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point in February to 3.6 percent. Michigan’s February rate was seven-tenths of a percentage point above the U.S. rate. The national unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the year, while Michigan’s rate edged up by one-tenth of a percentage point since February 2022.     

Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s employment level rose by 0.2 percent over the month, while the national employment total inched up by 0.1 percent.
• The U.S. labor force over the year increase of 1.5 percent was 1.1 percentage points larger than the statewide workforce increase since February 2022.
• The February statewide labor force participation rate remained at 59.8 percent over the month, while Michigan’s employment-population ratio edged up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 57.3 percent. Both February 2023 measures remained below their pre-pandemic February 2020 values (61.3 percent and 59.0 percent, respectively).

Detroit metro area February jobless rate remains constant

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was stable at 3.8 percent between January and February. The region’s labor force was nearly unchanged, edging up by 1,000 over the month.

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points over the year. Both total employment and unemployment fell by 11,000. The regional workforce receded by 21,000 since February 2022.

Michigan payroll jobs increase in February

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs advanced by 15,000, or 0.3 percent, over the month, resulting in an employment total of 4,416,000 in February. Minor job increases were seen across multiple industries.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Payroll employment rose for the fourth consecutive month during February.
• On a numerical basis, both the leisure and hospitality and the trade, transportation, and utilities industries demonstrated the largest over-the-month employment gain, with jobs advancing by 4,000 in each sector since January.
• The monthly increase in the leisure and hospitality industry came from the accommodation and food services sub-sector.
• Average weekly earnings in the manufacturing industry rose by 1.1 percent over the month and 6.1 percent over the year.
• Industries with the largest over-the-year payroll job gains included government (+23,000) and leisure and hospitality (+21,000).
• Total nonfarm employment increased by 92,000, or 2.1 percent, over the year.
• On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs were only 33,000, or 0.7 percent, below its February 2020 pre-pandemic level.

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

Data revisions note: The data in this release reflects recently revised historical estimates. All states in the nation participate in this revision process facilitated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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