Michigan's June Jobless Rate Decreases

Lansing – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in June edged down slightly by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.5 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB).  Total employment increased by 8,000 over the month while the number of unemployed in the state declined by 4,000.  Michigan’s workforce edged up by 3,000 in June.

The Michigan jobless rate in June 2018 was one-tenth of a percentage point above the state’s June 2017 rate of 4.4 percent.  The national jobless rate declined by three-tenths of a percentage point over this period.  The state’s unemployment rate in June was five-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate.  The U.S. jobless rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.0 percent in June.

“Michigan’s monthly unemployment rates have trended slightly downward since February,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.  “Payroll jobs in the state have increased nearly every month so far in 2018.  In the first six months of the year, payroll jobs have advanced by 32,000 statewide.”

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

• Michigan’s June jobless rate was the lowest recorded by the state since the 4.5 percent rate in July 2017.
• June’s workforce and total employment levels were the highest recorded so far for the state in 2018 while the number of unemployed in June was the lowest level of the year.
• Michigan’s total employment gain in June was the fourth consecutive monthly increase since February.  Over that period, total employment in the state grew by 27,000 or 0.6 percent.
• Jobless rates have been stable in Michigan.  The state’s second quarter 2018 rate of 4.6 percent declined by one-tenth of a percentage point from the first quarter and matched the rate recorded in the third quarter 2017.
• Since June 2017, total employment in Michigan increased by 32,000 or 0.7 percent while the number of unemployed edged up by 6,000 or 2.8 percent.  Nationally over the same period, total employment rose by 1.5 percent and the number of unemployed declined by 5.7 percent.
• From June 2017 to June 2018, Michigan’s workforce rose by 38,000 or 0.8 percent, which was somewhat outpaced by the national growth rate of 1.2 percent.

MICHIGAN

Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

(Data in Thousands)

Detroit Metropolitan Area’s June Unemployment Rate Flat

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA’s) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in June was unchanged over the month at 4.4 percent.  The Detroit MSA’s jobless rates have been slightly below the state’s rates for the first six months of the year. Total employment in the region increased by 2,000 over the month while the number of unemployed declined slightly by 1,000.  The Detroit metro area’s labor force rose slightly by 2,000 in June.  Jobless rates in the region have remained at 4.4 or 4.5 percent throughout the first half of 2018.  The number of unemployed in the region has been little changed in 2018, ranging from 93,000 to 95,000.

From June 2017 to June 2018, the Detroit metropolitan area’s jobless rate increased by four-tenths of a percentage point.  Since June 2017, total employment advanced moderately by 4,000 or 0.2 percent, however the number of unemployed rose by 8,000 or 9.4 percent.  The Detroit MSA’s labor force grew by 13,000 or 0.6 percent over the year.  The percentage growth in the area’s workforce was slightly below the state’s increase over this period, but the region lagged noticeably behind Michigan in total employment gains on a percentage basis since June 2017.

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA

Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

(Data in Thousands)

Payroll Jobs Up Again in June 

According to the monthly survey of employers, seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs increased in June by 5,000 to 4,427,000.  Over-the-month job gains were recorded in Professional and business services (+3,000), Construction (+2,000) and Other services (+2,000).  These advances were somewhat offset by job reductions in Government (-4,000). The state’s remaining major industry sectors recorded minor changes of 1,000 or less over the month.

Industry Employment Trends and Highlights                    

• Michigan payroll jobs rose in June for the second consecutive month to reach the highest level so far in 2018.
• Payroll jobs have risen for five of the first six months in 2018.  April registered the only monthly overall job decline.
• After posting job decreases for two months in a row, Professional and business services bounced back in June to match this sector’s second highest job count of the year.
• Construction jobs continued an upward trend in June.  So far in 2018, Construction jobs have increased by 8,000 or 5.0 percent.  Since June 2017, this industry boasts the largest numerical and percentage gain of any major sector in the state.
• Although up only marginally in June, Michigan’s Information sector broke a pattern of monthly job declines recorded throughout the first five months of 2018.
• From June 2017 to June 2018, payroll jobs in Michigan increased by 52,000 or 1.2 percent, which was somewhat below the national gain over this period of 1.6 percent.  Since June 2017, job gains occurred in nearly all of Michigan’s major sectors and were led by increases in Construction (+13,000), Leisure and hospitality services (+9,000), Professional and business services (+7,000), Education and health services (+6,000) and Other services (+6,000).
• Seasonally adjusted average weekly hours and earnings of production workers in Manufacturing declined over the month.  Earnings rose moderately over the year while weekly hours were little changed.