The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Michigan's April Jobless Rate Up Slightly
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April edged up a tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment advanced by 7,000 over the month while unemployment increased by 4,000, resulting in a net April labor force gain of 11,000.
The Michigan jobless rate in April 2019 was two-tenths below its April 2018 rate of 4.3 percent. During this period, the national jobless rate moved down by three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.6 percent. The Michigan unemployment rate in April was five-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate.
“Despite a minor jobless rate increase, Michigan’s labor market remained stable in April” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, “Total employment gains so far in 2019 have averaged 9,800 per month, while payroll jobs rose in April for the seventh consecutive month.”
Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights
- April marked the first Michigan monthly jobless rate increase since October 2018.
- Workforce levels in Michigan advanced for the eighth successive month in April. The state’s workforce has moved up steadily by an average of 11,000 per month so far in 2019.
- The number of Michigan unemployed hit a recent low of 191,000 in August 2018. Since then, the number of Michigan unemployed has moved up, as residents have steadily entered the workforce seeking jobs. Unemployment rose 11,000 or 5.5 percent since August 2018.
- Since April 2018, total employment rose by 49,000 or 1.0 percent, and the number of unemployed decreased by 7,000, or 3.3 percent. Nationally, total employment advanced by 0.9 percent and unemployment dropped by 8.1 percent.
April Payroll Jobs Inch Up Over Month
Michigan’s monthly survey of employers revealed a small monthly gain in seasonally adjusted payroll jobs in April. Nonfarm employment edged up by just 2,000 to 4,448,000 in April. Multiple industries demonstrated job changes of 1,000 or less. The most pronounced over-the-month decline in employment occurred in the Manufacturing sector (-3,000).
For more detailed information, including data tables,view the full release.