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Michigan jobless rate remains stable during September

October 15, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged over the month, remaining at 5.0 percent during September, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment fell by 27,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people increased by 1,000. Michigan’s labor force declined by 26,000 during September.

“Michigan’s labor market cooled as payroll jobs dipped in the third quarter. Declines were concentrated in the other services and professional and business services sectors this quarter,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “The state’s unemployment rate remained stable at 5.0 percent.”

The U.S. unemployment rate inched up by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.2 percent. Michigan’s September jobless rate was 0.8 percentage points greater than the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate fell by two-tenths of a percentage point, while the statewide rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point since September 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

  • Michigan’s total labor force fell by 0.5 percent over the month, while the national workforce total moved up by 0.3 percent.
  • The number of unemployed people in the state receded by 2.0 percent over the year, while the national number of unemployed decreased by 6.5 percent since September 2025.
  • Over the year, total employment in Michigan declined by 3.6 percent, while the national employment total inched down by 0.3 percent.
  • Michigan’s average quarterly unemployment rate was reduced by one-tenths of a percentage point since the second quarter of 2026, from 5.1 to 5.0 percent.
  • The September statewide labor force participation rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 58.5 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio declined by four-tenths of a percentage point to 55.5 percent during September.

 

Michigan Labor Force Estimates 

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Sep. 2026 Aug. 2026 Sep. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 4,826,000 4,852,000 5,004,000 -26,000 (-0.5%) -178,000 (-3.6%)
Employed 4,585,000 4,612,000 4,758,000 -27,000 (-0.6%) -173,000 (-3.6%)
Unemployed 241,000 240,000 246,000 1,000 (0.4%) -5,000 (-2.0%)
Unemployment Rate 5.0% 5.0% 4.9% 0.0 0.1

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

Detroit metro area jobless rate advanced during September

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.5 percent in September. Employment was reduced by 7,000 and total unemployment edged up by 1,000. The Detroit metro area labor force fell by 6,000 over the month.

Over the year, the Detroit MSA jobless rate increased by 0.7 percentage points. Employment rose by 4,000 and unemployment advanced by 16,000 since September 2025.

 

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA Labor Force Estimates

Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Indicators Sep. 2026 Aug. 2026 Sep. 2025 Over-the-month Change Over-the-year Change
Civilian Labor Force 2,176,000 2,182,000 2,156,000 -6,000 (-0.3%) 20,000 (0.9%)
Employed 2,057,000 2,064,000 2,053,000 -7,000 (-0.3%) 4,000 (0.2%)
Unemployed 119,000 118,000 103,000 1,000 (0.8%) 16,000 (15.5%)
Unemployment Rate 5.5% 5.4% 4.8% 0.1 0.7

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

Michigan nonfarm payroll jobs decreased during September

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 6,000 to a total of 4,487,000 in September.

Industry employment trends and highlights

  • Total nonfarm employment in Michigan decreased in September largely due to job losses in private education and health services (-4,000).
  • On a numeric basis, monthly job gains were led by construction and manufacturing, with employment increasing by 1,000 in each industry.
  • Employment within other services fell for the third consecutive month, with jobs decreasing by 4,000 since June 2026.
  • Michigan seasonally adjusted total payroll jobs were 2,000 above its year-ago level.
  • Over the year, government (+15,000) and private education and health services (+4,000) recorded the most significant industry job gains.
  • Since September 2025, professional and business services (-8,000) and trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,000) saw the most significant numerical job losses.

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, September 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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