January 09, 2025
Roughly 913,300 online job advertisements were available throughout Michigan during 2024. Of these, the majority (816,300 ads) were new advertisements for the year. The number of newly posted advertisements declined from 2023 by 4.4 percent (853,600 ads). However, the volume of new job ads in 2024 remained much greater than the numbers seen before 2021, when online ads began to surge.
Annual New Online Job Advertisements
Source: Help Wanted OnLine, Lightcast Developer
More than half of the available job advertisements in 2024 specified a minimum education requirement. Of these, just over 50 percent listed a high school diploma or equivalent and 34 percent required a bachelor’s degree. The remaining advertisements were split between the minimum requirements of an associate degree (10.2 percent) and master’s degree and above (5.3 percent). Advertisements in 2023 showed a similar split among minimum education levels. The most notable difference was among ads requiring a high school diploma or equivalent and master’s degree and above which each increased by half a percentage point over the year. Conversely, bachelor’s degrees declined in share by 0.8 percentage points.
Percent Share of Ads by Minimum Education Requirement
Source: Help Wanted OnLine, Lightcast Developer
Due to data limitations, only the top 50 industries are available for comparison. Most of these 50 industries observed declines in job postings since 2023. General medical and surgical hospitals; Limited-service restaurants; and Colleges, universities and professional schools were the top three industries in 2024 for most online job advertisements. This was unchanged from 2023; however, each industry experienced a decline in postings over the year. Of industries that grew, Home health care services increased the most numerically (+2,600 ads) followed by Warehouse clubs and supercenters (+1,700 ads) and Offices of dentists (+850 ads).
Similar to industries, the top three posted occupations across the state were unchanged over the year: Registered nurses, Retail salespersons, and First-line supervisors of retail sales workers. Each of the top three occupations experienced a decline in total postings over the year. Less than 15 of the top 50 occupations for the year showed increases in job advertisements. Home health and personal care aides (+4,400 ads) increased the most of any occupation and far outpaced the next largest growth in ads for Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (+1,200 ads). All other upticks were by less than 500 ads over the year.
Many online job advertisements may not list the skills and certifications required for the position. Of the ones that do, it can provide helpful insight into what employers are looking for. Baseline skills can be considered foundational skills that cut across a wide range of occupations. The top baseline skills in 2024 were communication skills, customer service, and management skills. Specialized skills typically refer to occupation-specific skills. The top three for the year were merchandising, nursing, and marketing. Software skills refer to computer-related skills and the topmost requested were Microsoft products, SQL, and SAP applications. Lastly, a certification refers to a designated credential earned by an individual to verify skills or knowledge gained to perform a job. The top three throughout the year, after driver’s license, were basic life support, first aid CPR AED, and certified nursing assistant.
More information about Michigan job advertisements can be found using the Online Job Ad Snapshot Dashboard.
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