October 10, 2025
The definition of Mobility used in this report includes three subsectors: Manufacturing, Service, and Transportation. These subsectors capture everything from the development, production and sale of transportation equipment to the physical movement of people and goods.
Mobility has long been vital to the Michigan economy. This article summarizes insights on Mobility employment, wages, workforce demographics, and Registered Apprenticeship from the soon-to-be published Michigan Mobility Industry Workforce Analysis Report.
Mobility employment growth faster, wage growth slower compared to the state
In Michigan, Mobility has long been vital to the statewide economy and has offered a diverse range of careers and opportunities to Michigan residents. Average annual employment in Mobility was just over 495,600 in 2024, accounting for 13.0 percent of statewide jobs. Since 2015, Mobility employment has grown by 7.7 percent, outpacing statewide employment growth of 6.0 percent. However, annual employment in the sector declined from 2023 to 2024, with the decrease largely driven by the Manufacturing subsector.
Author:
Employment Index, Michigan Mobility (Index Year: 2015)
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
From 2015 to 2024, non-inflation adjusted wages in Mobility grew slower (29.3 percent) compared to statewide wages (37.4 percent). Despite this slower growth, 2024 average annual wages in Mobility remained substantially higher (+$13,900) than the statewide average.
Wage Change (Current Dollars), Michigan Mobility, 2015–2024
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mobility employment growth faster, wage growth slower compared to the state
The Mobility workforce is older than the statewide workforce. Approximately 43 percent of Mobility workers are ages 45 to 64, which is nearly six percentage points higher than this group’s share of statewide employment. Practically, the nature of work in Mobility may limit the opportunities available to younger workers, particularly those under 18 years old.
Michigan Mobility Employment by Age, 2023
Source: 2023 One-Year Public Use Microdata Sample, American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau
By gender, nearly 75 percent of workers in Mobility are men compared to just over half statewide. Despite being a small share of the overall Mobility workforce, women account for about half of those in Mobility who work in Office and administrative support or Business and financial operations occupations. Conversely, Construction and extraction and Installation, maintenance, and repair workers are almost entirely men.
Mobility Registered Apprenticeship completers remain steady
In 2024, there were just under 2,900 active registered apprentices in Mobility statewide. Approximately 75 percent of active Mobility registered apprentices were in the Transportation equipment manufacturing industry while 17.3 percent were in Highway, street, and bridge construction, together accounting for more than 90 percent.
The number of new registered apprentices and completers in Mobility has generally trended upwards over the last decade. In recent years, the leveling off or slight decline in completers likely reflects the substantial drop in new registered apprentices that occurred during the pandemic-affected 2020 year. However, since 2020, there have been more than 400 completers each year and new Mobility apprentices peaked at 1,020 in 2023.
New Michigan Mobility Registered Apprentices and Completers, 2014–2024
Source: Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data System (RAPIDS), Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor
With an increased focus in recent years on remaining a nationwide leader in Mobility innovation, the opportunities in this sector will continue to evolve. This underscores the importance of understanding the sector’s workforce needs and expanding education and training opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers in Mobility.
