Michigan's March Unemployment Rate Remains 4.0 Percent

April 17, 2019

Michigan’s March seasonally adjusted jobless rate was unchanged for the sixth consecutive month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment increased by 7,000 over the month and the number of unemployed edged up by 3,000. The state’s total workforce advanced by 11,000 since February.

The Michigan jobless rate in March 2019 was four-tenths below its March 2018 rate of 4.4 percent. The national jobless rate declined by two-tenths of a percentage point over the same period. The state’s unemployment rate in March was two-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate. The U.S jobless rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent in March.

“Jobless rates in Michigan have held constant since October” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, “Payroll employment has remained relatively stable over the last two months.”  

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

• Michigan’s labor force expanded for the seventh consecutive month. The state’s workforce has grown by 43,000 since August 2018, or 0.9 percent. Over the year, the labor force grew by 32,000, or 0.7 percent.
• Michigan’s first quarter 2019 jobless rate of 4.0 percent matched the prior quarter rate and was four-tenths below the first quarter 2018 statewide average rate of 4.4 percent.
• The Michigan first quarter 2019 unemployment rate was a tenth of a percentage point above the national quarterly rate of 3.9 percent.
• Over the year, total employment increased by 47,000, or 1.0 percent, and the number of unemployed fell by 16,000, or 7.4 percent. Nationally, total employment edged up by 1.3 percent and unemployment fell by 4.6 percent.

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