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Michigan unemployment rate advances during May

June 18, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.1 percent during May, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment receded by 20,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people rose by 1,000, resulting in a labor force reduction of 19,000 between April and May.       

“Michigan payroll jobs climbed for the third consecutive month during May but were still slightly lower than a year ago” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “The state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 5.1 percent in May, matching the May 2025 rate.”

The national unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month at 4.3 percent. Michigan’s May jobless rate was 0.8 percentage points larger than the U.S. rate. Both the national and statewide unemployment rates remained unchanged over the year.

 

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 unemployment rate rose slightly during May after remaining at 5.0 percent for the prior six months.
  • Michigan’s labor force receded by 0.4 percent over the month, while the national workforce was unchanged during May.  
  • Total unemployment in the state decreased by 2.7 percent over the year, while the U.S total number of unemployed advanced by 0.8 percent since May 2025.
  • Michigan’s labor force participation rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point to 59.8 percent in May. Michigan’s employment-population ratio fell by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 56.8 percent. 

 

Michigan Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators May 2026 Apr. 2026 May 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 4,931,000 4,950,000 5,042,000 -19,000 (-0.4%) -111,000 (-2.2%)
Employed 4,680,000 4,700,000 4,784,000 -20,000 (-0.4%) -104,000 (-2.2%)
Unemployed 251,000 250,000 258,000 1,000 (0.4%) -7,000 (-2.7%)
Unemployment Rate 5.1% 5.0% 5.1% 0.1 0.0

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

 

Detroit metro area unemployment rate increases in May

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.3 percent during May. Employment advanced by 5,000 over the month, while unemployment increased by 3,000, resulting in a workforce gain of 8,000 in May.

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate rose by four-tenths of a percentage point over the year. The Detroit region’s labor force increased by 23,000 since May 2025.

 

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators May 2026 Apr. 2026 May 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 2,193,000 2,185,000 2,170,000 8,000 (0.4%) 23,000 (1.1%)
Employed 2,076,000 2,071,000 2,064,000 5,000 (0.2%) 12,000 (0.6%)
Unemployed 117,000 114,000 106,000 3,000 (2.6%) 11,000 (10.4%)
Unemployment Rate 5.3% 5.2% 4.9% 0.1 0.4

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

 

Michigan payroll employment rose modestly during May

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs inched up by 3,000 in May.

Industry employment trends and highlights

  • Michigan payroll employment rose for the third consecutive month, with jobs increasing by 17,000 since February.
  • Manufacturing demonstrated the largest over-the-month employment increase (+3,000).
  • Monthly job gains were partially offset by decreases in trade, transportation, and utilities (-2,000).
  • Employment within the state’s government sector rose for the ninth consecutive month during May, with jobs advancing by 10,000 since August 2025.
  • Over the year, seasonally adjusted total payroll jobs fell by 9,000, or 0.2 percent.
  • The government (+12,000) and private education and health services (+7,000) sectors recorded the most significant over-the-year industry job gains.
  • Since May 2025, the greatest job losses were noted in trade, transportation, and utilities (-9,000), manufacturing (-8,000), and leisure and hospitality (-6,000).

Michigan Over-the-Month Change in Payroll Jobs

Seasonally Adjusted

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

Michigan Industry Job Change

Seasonally Adjusted, May 2026

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

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