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Michigan jobless rate decreases during July

August 20, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.9 percent during July, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment receded by 23,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people fell by 6,000, resulting in a labor force reduction of 29,000 between June and July.

“Michigan’s jobless rate inched down over the month, reflecting a decrease in both unemployment and total workforce during July,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Seasonally adjusted payroll jobs continue to show positive trends month to month.”

The national unemployment rate inched down by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent in July. Michigan’s July unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points larger than the U.S. rate. The national jobless rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the year, while the statewide rate remained unchanged since July 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 Rates

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

  • The state’s labor force receded by 0.6 percent over the month, a reduction three times larger than the national workforce decline (-0.2 percent).
  • Statewide total employment levels decreased by 0.5 percent over the month, while the national employment level edged down by 0.1 percent since June.
  • Total unemployment in Michigan was reduced by 2.8 percent over the year, while the U.S. total number of unemployed declined by 4.9 percent since July 2025.
  • Michigan’s labor force participation rate decreased by four-tenths of a percentage point to 59.1 percent in July. Michigan’s employment-population ratio fell by three-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 56.2 percent. 

 

Michigan Labor Force Estimates 

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Jul. 2026 Jun. 2026 Jul. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 4,878,000 4,907,000 5,021,000 -29,000 (-0.6%) -143,000 (-2.8%)
Employed 4,637,000 4,660,000 4,773,000 -23,000 (-0.5%) -136,000 (-2.8%)
Unemployed 241,000 247,000 248,000 -6,000 (-2.4%) -7,000 (-2.8%)
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 5.0% 4.9% -0.1 0.0

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

 

Detroit metro area jobless rate falls in July

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched down by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.3 percent during July. Employment declined by 5,000 over the month, while unemployment edged down by 1,000, resulting in a labor force loss of 6,000 in July.    

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate rose by six-tenths of a percentage point over the year. The Detroit region’s labor force increased by 35,000 since July 2025.

 

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Jul. 2026 Jun. 2026 Jul. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 2,192,000 2,198,000 2,157,000 -6,000 (-0.3%) 35,000 (1.6%)
Employed 2,075,000 2,080,000 2,055,000 -5,000 (-0.2%) 20,000 (1.0%)
Unemployed 117,000 118,000 102,000 -1,000 (-0.8%) 15,000 (14.7%)
Unemployment Rate 5.3% 5.4% 4.7% -0.1 0.6

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

 

Michigan payroll employment advanced during July

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment advanced by 7,000 between June and July.

Industry employment trends and highlights

  • Total nonfarm payroll jobs in Michigan increased for the fifth consecutive month during July.
  • Manufacturing recorded the largest over-the-month employment increase, with jobs advancing by 4,000 during July.
  • Michigan’s leisure and hospitality sector recorded employment growth for the fifth consecutive month, with jobs increasing by 9,000 since February.
  • Monthly job gains were partially offset by losses within professional and business services (-3,000) and financial activities (-1,000).
  • Since July 2025, Michigan seasonally adjusted total payroll jobs rose by 8,000, or 0.2 percent.
  • The state’s government (+14,000) and private education and health services (+6,000) sectors recorded the most significant over-the-year numerical industry job gains.
  • Trade, transportation, and utilities and professional and business services demonstrated the largest numerical industry employment decreases, with jobs receding by 6,000 in each industry since July 2025.

Michigan Over-the-Month Change in Payroll Jobs

Seasonally Adjusted

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Note: Change calculated using unrounded data

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

Michigan Industry Job Change

Seasonally Adjusted, July 2026

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Note: Change calculated using unrounded data

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

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