Statewide Payroll Jobs Rise in April

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

In April, the greatest over-the-month industry employment gains were recorded within Trade, transportation, and utilities and Leisure and hospitality, with each industry adding 3,200 jobs. The Construction (+1,200); Financial activities (+500); and Government (+300) sectors also saw modest industry gains during April. Employment within Michigan’s Private education and health services (-1,600); Manufacturing (-1,000); and Other services (-500) industries declined over the month. The remaining super sectors saw no changes to their payrolls since March.

Over the month, total nonfarm payroll jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.1 percent, which was equal to the statewide rate of change. The most significant over-the-month changes occurred in Trade, transportation, and utilities (+60,000); Private education and health services (+46,000); and Leisure and hospitality (+14,000). Since March, jobs declined in Information (-13,000); Financial activities (-11,000); and Government (-8,000).

Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mixed Employment Changes Among Michigan Major Industry Sectors Over the Year

Despite monthly advances, Michigan payroll employment is down 6,100 compared to year-ago levels. Since April 2025, the most prominent job losses were seen in Manufacturing (-9,800); Trade, transportation, and utilities (-8,700); and Information (-2,200). However, payroll jobs increased in Government (+10,600); Private education and health services (+5,300); and Financial activities (+1,600) over the year.

Since April 2025, total U.S. payroll jobs rose by 251,000, or 0.2 percent. On a numeric basis, the strongest employment growth was seen in Private education and health services (+618,000); Leisure and hospitality (+142,000); and Construction (+50,000).

All Michigan Metro Areas Recorded Job Gains in April

Every Michigan metropolitan statistical area (MSA) recorded not seasonally adjusted job additions during April. Over the month, four MSAs saw job rate changes above or equal to the statewide rate of change (+0.8 percent), whereas eight metro areas noted job advancements above or equal to the nationwide rate of change (+0.6 percent). In April, Mining and logging and Leisure and hospitality employment increased or remained unchanged in all Michigan metro areas.

Over the year, seven of Michigan’s 15 metro areas recorded employment growth. Traverse City (+3.4 percent) and Saginaw (+1.6 percent) observed the most significant rate changes since April 2025, while Midland (-3.2 percent) and Lansing (-2.0 percent) noted the largest yearly declines.

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

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