Skip to main content

Michigan jobless rate holds steady at 5.0 percent in April

May 21, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged for the sixth consecutive month at 5.0 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment decreased by 19,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people edged down by 1,000. Michigan’s labor force receded by 19,000 between March and April.     

“A statewide labor force reduction contributed to the jobless rate remaining unchanged for the sixth consecutive month,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Michigan payroll jobs rose slightly during April.”

The national unemployment rate was unchanged between March and April at 4.3 percent. Michigan’s April jobless rate was 0.7 percentage points above the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage points, while Michigan’s rate was reduced by 0.2 percentage points since April 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

Open content in a new window

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 total employment level decreased for the fourth consecutive month during April, receding by 51,000, or 1.1 percent, since December 2025.  
  • Michigan’s total number of unemployed people fell by 0.4 percent over the month, while the national unemployment level rose by 1.9 percent since March. 
  • Michigan’s labor force was reduced by 2.0 percent over the year, a reduction 1.4 percentage points larger than the workforce decline observed nationally (-0.6 percent).
  • Michigan’s labor force participation rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 60.1 percent during April. Michigan’s employment-population ratio fell by three-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 57.0 percent.

 

Michigan Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Apr. 2026 Mar. 2026 Apr. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 4,950,000 4,969,000 5,053,000 -19,000 (-0.4%) -103,000 (-2.0%)
Employed 4,700,000 4,719,000 4,790,000 -19,000 (-0.4%) -90,000 (-1.9%)
Unemployed 250,000 251,000 263,000 -1,000 (-0.4%) -13,000 (-4.9%)
Unemployment Rate 5.0% 5.0% 5.2% 0.0 -0.2

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

 

Detroit metro area unemployment rate remains unchanged in April

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained constant at 5.2 percent during April. Employment advanced by 4,000 over the month, while unemployment rose by 2,000, resulting in a workforce gain of 6,000 in April. 

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point over the year. The Detroit region’s workforce increased by 10,000 since April 2025.

 

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Apr. 2026 Mar. 2026 Apr. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 2,185,000 2,179,000 2,175,000 6,000 (0.3%) 10,000 (0.5%)
Employed 2,071,000 2,067,000 2,067,000 4,000 (0.2%) 4,000 (0.2%)
Unemployed 114,000 112,000 108,000 2,000 (1.8%) 6,000 (5.6%)
Unemployment Rate 5.2% 5.2% 5.0% 0.0 0.2

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

 

Michigan payroll jobs increase in April

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs rose by 5,000 in April to a total of 4,481,000.

Industry employment trends and highlights

  • The state’s trade, transportation, and utilities and leisure and hospitality sectors recorded the largest numerical job gains this month, with each industry adding 3,000 jobs in April.
  • Employment increased in construction (+1,000) during April following six consecutive months of job losses in this sector.
  • Over the month, private education and health services noted the greatest employment decline (-2,000).
  • Since April 2025, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs fell by 6,000, or 0.1 percent.
  • The most significant over-the-year numerical industry job gains occurred in the state’s government (+11,000) and private education and health services (+5,000) sectors.
  • Job losses were most prominent in manufacturing (-10,000) since April 2025.

Michigan Total Nonfarm Jobs

Seasonally Adjusted

Open content in a new window

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

Michigan Industry Job Change

Seasonally Adjusted, April 2026

Open content in a new window

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

Related News