Michigan Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Advance During March

Source: Current Employment Statistics, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

During March, Michigan job growth was primarily driven by increases within Professional and business services (+4,000). Multiple industry sectors including Leisure and hospitality (+2,000); Manufacturing (+1,700); and Government (+1,300) also recorded modest gains over the month. These gains were partially offset by over-the-month job losses in the state’s Trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,700); Financial activities (-700); and Construction (-600) sectors. Jobs within Information were flat over the month.

Total average payroll jobs during the first quarter of 2026 were 4,800 below the previous quarter’s average. Six of Michigan’s 11 major industry sectors recorded quarterly decreases, with the greatest average job losses seen in Trade, transportation, and utilities (-5,300); Manufacturing (-3,600); and Construction (-3,300). Despite this, sectors including Government (+3,600) and Private education and health services (+2,900) reported employment growth between the two quarters.

Source: Current Employment Statistics, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

Nationally, total nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 0.1 percent, or 178,000, over the month. The most prominent over-the-month job changes occurred in Private education and health services (+91,000); Leisure and hospitality (+44,000); and Trade, transportation, and utilities (+33,000). Industries such as Financial activities (-15,000); Other services (-9,000); and Government (-8,000) saw employment decline during March.

Yearly Job Change Mixed Among Michigan’s Major Industry Sectors

Since March 2025, total nonfarm payroll jobs in Michigan fell by 8,800, or 0.2 percent. Over the year, the most significant job reductions were seen in Trade, transportation, and utilities (-13,400), followed by Manufacturing (-8,500) and Information (-2,400). Despite overall employment decreases, payroll jobs grew in Government (+10,200) and Private education and health services (+8,300).

Over the year, total payroll employment in the U.S. inched up by 0.2 percent, four-tenths of a percentage point above the statewide rate of change. Since March 2025, the most pronounced rate changes were noted within Private education and health services (+2.4 percent); Leisure and hospitality (+1.0 percent); and Construction (+0.7 percent).

Almost All Michigan Metro Areas Recorded Job Additions in March

On a not seasonally adjusted basis, employment advanced in every Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) except Midland during March. Over the month, the statewide rate of change was equal to the nationwide rate (+0.4 percent). Eight of 15 metro areas noted job advancements above or equal to Michigan’s rate.

Since March 2025, nine metro areas observed payroll job expansion. The most significant over-the-year rate changes were seen in the Traverse City (+4.7 percent); Niles (+1.3 percent); and Saginaw (+1.2 percent) metro areas. The remaining six metro areas recorded yearly declines, with Midland (-3.7 percent) noting the largest decrease in payroll employment since March 2025.

Source: Current Employment Statistics, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

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