Michigan jobless rate unchanged during April

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was steady over the month, remaining at 5.5 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment edged down by 2,000 over the month and the number of unemployed people fell by 1,000, resulting in a workforce decline of 4,000 during April.

“Michigan added 11,000 payroll jobs in April with increases across several major sectors,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “The state’s unemployment rate remained flat over the month as the size of the labor force and the number of unemployed people experienced minimal reductions.”

The national unemployment rate remained stable at 4.2 percent over the month. Michigan’s April unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national jobless rate advanced by three-tenths of a percentage point, while the statewide rate increased by 1.1 percentage points since April 2024.    

Labor force trends and highlights

• After three consecutive months of jobless rate gains, Michigan’s unemployment rate remained constant in April.
• Total unemployment in the state receded by 0.4 percent over the month, while the national unemployment level increased by 1.2 percent.
• Michigan’s labor force rose by 1.0 percent over the year, an increase nine-tenths of a percentage point below the national workforce gain (+1.9 percent).
• The April statewide labor force participation rate was unchanged over the month at 62.0 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio was stable at 58.6 percent during April.

Detroit metro area jobless rate decreases in April

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.1 percent during April. Employment in the Detroit MSA increased by 5,000, while unemployment was reduced by 2,000, resulting in a labor force advance of 3,000 over the month.

Over the year, the Detroit MSA unemployment rate advanced by 1.0 percentage points. Employment declined by 13,000 and unemployment increased by 23,000 since April 2024. 

Payroll jobs increase during April

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 11,000, or 0.2 percent, during April. Most of this month’s employment increase was due to job additions within the private education and health services sector, while several other industries recorded positive employment changes in April. No major industry sector recorded notable job losses this month.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Michigan’s private education and health services sector exhibited the largest numerical employment gain both over the month (+3,000) and over the year (+21,000).
• Jobs advanced in the state’s government sector for the sixth consecutive month, with employment rising by 9,000 since October 2024.
• Over the year, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 38,000, or 0.8 percent.
• Manufacturing employment rose by 2,000 this month but remained down 11,000 jobs since April 2024.