May 08, 2025
As summer approaches, a significant number of Michigan teens are expected to enter the labor market, many for the first time. The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics has released its forecast for the teen summer labor market (June–August 2025), providing projected data on employment levels, labor force participation rates, and unemployment rates for Michigan teens ages 16 to 19. This forecast aims to offer insight into the expected job situation for young workers in the coming months.
Teens are likely to find employment opportunities primarily in highly seasonal industries. These sectors often include Accommodation and food services, Retail trade, and Arts, entertainment, and recreation. The jobs available in these industries are frequently ideal for teens because they typically require minimal education, experience, or training.
Based on the forecast from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, here are the projected values for the Michigan teen labor market for summer 2025:
| Teen Labor Force | Teen Employment | Teen Unemployment | Teen Unemployment Rate (Percent) | |
| Summer 2025 (Forecast) | 260,500 | 219,300 | 41,200 | 15.8 |
Source: Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget
The forecast for summer 2025 indicates that approximately 260,500 teens are expected to be in the labor market, meaning they are either employed or actively looking for work. This represents a slight increase in the labor force compared to the summer of 2024, which showed 236,000 teens in the labor market.
The projected number of teens employed for summer 2025 is 219,300. Teen employment levels typically peak during the summer months, and this figure is right between the employment levels for teens in the summers of 2023 (232,900) and 2024 (206,300).
The number of unemployed teens is projected to be 41,200 this summer. This is an increase compared to the 29,700 unemployed teens last year and is similar to the 36,900 unemployed teens in summer 2023.
Consequently, the teen unemployment rate in Michigan is expected to average 15.8 percent for summer (June to August) 2025. This rate is an increase from the 12.6 percent rate in 2024 and the 13.7 percent rate in 2023. This is not unexpected due to the overall tightening of Michigan’s labor market in early 2025. If the teen unemployment rate reaches 15.8 percent this summer, it will be the highest rate since 2020.
Source: Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget
Michigan's teen labor force participation is projected to remain relatively high at 50 percent. Since 2020, the participation rate has only exceeded 50 percent when it shot up to 55.9 percent in 2023. Michigan’s teen summer labor force participation rate typically exceeds the national teen participation rate by five to 15 percentage points.
Source: Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget
Teens seeking summer jobs are encouraged to contact their local Michigan Works! office. Michigan Works! provides assistance in resume development and job search, including access to Pure Michigan Talent Connect, and also offers tips on applying to your first job.
As summer approaches, a significant number of Michigan teens are expected to enter the labor market, many for the first time. The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics has released its forecast for the teen summer labor market (June–August 2025).
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