March 9, 2010 – Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 14.3 percent (December's rate was revised downward by 0.1 tenths of a percentage point from 14.6 to 14.5), according to data released today  by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).  Total employment increased by 11,000 in January while unemployment declined by 7,000.  The state's labor force edged upward by 4,000 over the month.

The U.S. jobless rate fell by three-tenths of a percentage point in January to 9.7 percent.

The state's jobless rate in January 2010 was three percentage points above the January 2009 rate of 11.3 percent.  The national jobless rate increased by two full percentage points over this period.

"Michigan's unemployment rate fell slightly, as typical January auto industry job cuts did not occur in January 2010" said Rick Waclawek, director of DELEG's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.  "Also, jobs in a number of Michigan industry sectors, including manufacturing, have stabilized since the summer of 2009." .

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

• Michigan's unemployment rate has been little changed since the middle of 2009.  The state's jobless rate has remained within the narrow band of 14.2 to 14.5 percent since July.  In the first half of 2009, Michigan's unemployment rate jumped upward by over three full percentage points.
  
  
• With the recent annual revision process, Michigan's 2009 annual average unemployment rate was revised downward from a preliminary 14.0 percent to 13.6 percent.
  
  
• Michigan's work force declined by 93,000 or 1.9 percent since January 2009
  
  
• Since January 2009, unemployment in Michigan increased by 134,000 or 24.0 percent, nearly identical to the national increase of 24.5 percent over the same period.

MICHIGAN
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

The Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area's (MSA's) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January fell by seven-tenths of a percentage point to 15.3 percent (December's rate was revised upward by 0.2 of a percentage point from 15.8 to 16.0 percent).  Unemployment decreased by 16,000 over the month while employment rose by 11,000.  The area's jobless rate had hovered around 16.0 percent since mid-year 2009.

From January 2009 to January 2010, the metropolitan area's jobless rate advanced by 2.9 percentage points.  Since January 2009, total employment fell in the metropolitan area by 91,000 and unemployment increased by 56,000.  On a percentage basis, the area's unemployment increase was 21 percent, which was slightly more favorable than the state and the nation as a whole.  The area's labor force declined by 36,000 over the year. 

Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

Payroll Jobs Edge Upward in January

According to the monthly survey of employers, seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs increased in January by 6,000 to reach 3,851,000.  Job gains were led by a 10,000 increase in manufacturing.  A lesser monthly advance was posted in government (+4,000), while minor increases of around 2,000 each were recorded in construction, retail trade and other services.  Somewhat offsetting these gains in January were job cuts in education and health services (-7,000) and professional and business services (-5,000).  The remaining major industry sectors reported only small monthly changes.        

Industry Employment Trends and Highlights

• Overall payroll job totals in Michigan have been little changed since mid-year 2009.  Since July, the statewide job level declined by just 4,000.  From January to June 2009, payroll jobs fell by 130,000.
  
  
• Several of the state's major industry sectors have been relatively steady since summer 2009, including construction, manufacturing and retail trade.
  
  
• Several other job sectors in Michigan continued to trend downward in the second half of 2009 into early 2010, including information, financial activities, and leisure and hospitality services.
  
  
• Although education and health services posted a job loss in January, this was one of only two major sectors in Michigan to show an over-the-year job gain.
  
  
• From January 2009 to January 2010, payroll jobs in Michigan fell by 111,000 or 2.8 percent.  Trade, transportation and utilities (-28,000), manufacturing (-26,000), construction (-19,000), leisure and hospitality services (-12,000), and government (-11,000) have recorded the largest numerical job reductions.
  
  
• Seasonally adjusted average weekly hours and earnings of production workers in manufacturing increased over the month.  Average weekly hours increased slightly over the year, but earnings declined.

The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

Note to Editors:  Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth."