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Michigan unemployment rate remains stable in March

April 30, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged for the fifth consecutive month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment receded by 13,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people remained unchanged. Michigan’s labor force decreased by 14,000 during March.    

“Michigan’s unemployment rate remained at 5.0 percent for the fifth consecutive month as the number of workers in the state’s labor force continued to fall,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs gains in March partially offset the recent declines seen in January and February. Overall, industry employment was down slightly in the first quarter of 2026.”

The national unemployment rate edged down by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.3 percent. Michigan’s March unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points above the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate advanced by 0.1 percentage points, while Michigan’s rate receded by 0.3 percentage points since March 2025.

 

Detailed data will be available for viewing and download with the MCDA Data Search tool by noon.

Media Contact:

Laura Wotruba

WotrubaL@michigan.gov

517-282-9753

Michigan and U.S. Unemployment Rate

Seasonally Adjusted

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Data for October 2025 were not collected due to the federal government shutdown.

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

 

Labor force trends and highlights

  • Michigan’s labor force decreased for the third consecutive month during March, with the statewide workforce declining by 30,000, or 0.6 percent, since December 2025. 
  • Michigan’s employment total receded by 0.3 percent over the month, while the national employment level remained unchanged during March.
  • The total number of unemployed people in the state fell by 6.0 percent over the year, while the national unemployment total advanced by 1.5 percent.
  • Michigan’s labor force participation rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 60.3 percent during March. Michigan’s employment-population ratio fell by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 57.3 percent. 

 

Michigan Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Mar. 2026 Feb. 2026 Mar. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 4,970,000 4,984,000 5,063,000 -14,000 (-0.3%) -93,000 (-1.8%)
Employed 4,719,000 4,732,000 4,796,000 -13,000 (-0.3%) -77,000 (-1.6%)
Unemployed 251,000 251,000 267,000 0 (0.0%) -16,000 (-6.0%)
Unemployment Rate 5.0% 5.0% 5.3% 0.0 -0.3

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

 

Detroit metro area unemployment rate edges up in March

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.2 percent during March. Employment and unemployment in the Detroit MSA both advanced by 2,000 over the month, resulting in a workforce gain of 4,000 during March.

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point over the year. The Detroit region’s workforce edged up by 1,000 since March 2025.

 

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Mar. 2026 Feb. 2026 Mar. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 2,179,000 2,175,000 2,178,000 4,000 (0.2%) 1,000 (0.0%)
Employed 2,067,000 2,065,000 2,067,000 2,000 (0.1%) 0 (0.0%)
Unemployed 112,000 110,000 110,000 2,000 (1.8%) 2,000 (1.8%)
Unemployment Rate 5.2% 5.1% 5.1% 0.1 0.1

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

Michigan payroll employment advances during March

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs increased by 5,000, or 0.1 percent, in March.

Industry employment trends and highlights

  • Michigan’s professional and business services sector demonstrated the largest over-the-month employment increase, with jobs advancing by 4,000 in March.
  • Leisure and hospitality recorded industry job gains (+2,000) during March following nine consecutive months of declining payrolls in this sector.
  • Jobs decreased in trade, transportation, and utilities for the fourth consecutive month, with employment falling by 10,000 since November 2025.
  • On a seasonally adjusted basis, statewide nonfarm payroll jobs receded by 9,000, or 0.2 percent, since March 2025.
  • Since March 2025, the government (+10,000) and private education and health services (+8,000) sectors recorded the most pronounced numerical job additions.
  • Over the year, trade, transportation, and utilities (-13,000) and manufacturing (-9,000) saw the greatest job losses.
  • Statewide quarterly nonfarm employment fell by 5,000, or 0.1 percent, between fourth quarter 2025 and first quarter 2026.

Michigan Over-the-Month Change in Payroll Jobs

Seasonally Adjusted (Data in Thousands)

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Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Michigan Industry Job Change

Seasonally Adjusted, March 2026

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Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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