Women are driving Michigan’s workforce growth, but barriers like childcare access and pay gaps remain

New report highlights women’s growing role in Michigan’s economy while emphasizing the need to expand opportunity and close wage gaps

Lansing, Mich. — Across Michigan, women now represent nearly half of the state’s labor force, playing a central role in workforce growth even as disparities persist. The latest Women in the Michigan Workforce report, published by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), highlights both progress and persistent structural barriers — including pay gaps and access to supportive services such as childcare — that continue to impact women’s opportunities, retention and advancement in the workforce.

“In Michigan, we’re committed to closing pay gaps and helping women thrive,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “While workforce participation has grown, women still only earn approximately 79 cents for every dollar that men earn. That’s why we are making historic investments to remove barriers and boost access to child care, paid leave, and education and training for women. Creating more opportunity for women helps us build a thriving economy, strengthen families and unlock the full potential of our communities. Let’s keep working together to make Michigan the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

Women working full-time, year-round in Michigan earn approximately 79 cents for every dollar earned by men. While median earnings for women who work full-time, year-round rose by 2.8% from $50,990 in 2023 to $52,390 in 2024, men’s earnings grew faster — up by 5.9% to $66,130 — widening the gap among full-time earners from 82 cents on the dollar in 2023 to 79 cents in 2024.

These disparities are driven in part by occupational differences, as women are more likely to work in lower-paying industries, even as those sectors continue to grow. Expanding access to higher-paying, in-demand fields remains critical to closing the gap and strengthening long-term economic opportunity.

“Equal pay for equal work should be more than a saying,” said Susan Corbin, director of LEO. “In Michigan, we’re committed to ensuring women have the skills they need to land quality jobs and stay in them. That means removing barriers, addressing pay equity and creating clear pathways to advancement. When women succeed, it strengthens our workforce, businesses and communities.”

Structural barriers beyond pay and occupational differences also affect women’s career retention and advancement. Research shows challenges such as menopause, caregiving responsibilities and other obstacles can disrupt careers. Access to affordable, high-quality childcare remains one of the most significant barriers to workforce participation, particularly for women. Addressing these challenges is essential to increasing earnings potential and ensuring more women can stay and thrive in the Michigan workforce.

With support from the Michigan Workforce Development Board and partners such as the Michigan Works! agencies, the state is expanding access to skills training, supportive services and career pathways that help women enter and remain in the workforce. In partnership with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP), these efforts include increasing access to childcare and advancing education and workforce strategies that support working families. These initiatives align with Gov. Whitmer’s executive budget recommendations, which prioritize workforce development and barrier removal.

These efforts are backed by the state’s continued investment in workforce development, including $429.1 million to support training programs and grants that build pathways into good-paying jobs for Michiganders, including youth and those from underserved populations.

At the same time, LEO is expanding access to Registered Apprenticeships and STEM career pathways to help more women enter high-wage, in-demand fields where they have been historically underrepresented. Increasing women’s participation in these programs, particularly in the skilled trades, is critical to closing wage gaps, increasing economic mobility and strengthening the state’s talent pipeline.

“Michigan’s investment in education and training opportunities for women is helping expand access to new career pathways, but there is more work to do to keep women in the workforce,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, deputy director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Expanding access to these resources opens doors to meaningful careers, which is critical to building a stronger, more resilient economy for Michigan.”

Key findings in the report identified continued areas for growth, including:

• Women earn approximately 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, dropping to 71 cents for part time workers, underscoring disparities in hours worked and pay.
• Only 73% of women with children under the age of five in the U.S. have a labor force participation, compared to 95% of men, identifying the need to address challenges in finding high-quality, affordable, local childcare.
• Four out of every five workers in healthcare and social assistance are women. This is one of Michigan's largest and fastest-growing sectors, yet women only earn 68 cents for every dollar men make, again highlighting consistent inequities, even in similar roles.

LEO’s programs and partnerships are ensuring women across the state have access to career assessments, training programs, educational pathways and support services, including Registered Apprenticeships and STEM-focused initiatives, that help them transition into higher-paying careers and advance in the workforce.

To explore these resources, visit Michigan.gov/SkillsToWork.

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