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More Teens are Expected to Seek Work this Summer in a Tight Job Market

June 04, 2026

Teen workforce participation has shifted significantly over time. In the early 2000s, more than 60 percent of Michigan teens were active in the labor force (employed or seeking work). After the Great Recession, participation among teens fell to 38 percent. The share of teens in the workforce has since rebounded, reaching 45 percent in 2025, the highest rate since 2007. With an estimated 2025 teen population of over 500,000 in Michigan, this translated to approximately 200,000 being employed, while 45,000 were unemployed.

These recent patterns provide additional context for the 2026 outlook: a higher percentage of teens have been willing to work in recent years, but the job market overall is tightening.

Demographics Employment Projections

Author:

Wayne Rourke

Labor Market Information Director

A higher percentage of teens are seeking work in recent years.

Workforce Rates for Michigan Teens 16 to 19

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Source: Expanded State Employment Status Demographic Data, Current Population Survey, U.S. Census Bureau

 

The 2026 Teen Summer Job Market

Teen labor force participation rises each summer as high school and college‑bound teens look for jobs that offer income, experience, and résumé‑building opportunities. Despite Michigan’s overall unemployment rate holding steady in recent months, teen unemployment has been trending upward, signaling a tougher job market for young workers. Michigan’s 2026 teen summer forecast shows that the projected unemployment rate is similar to the teen unemployment rate experienced on average in 2025. It also aligns with the tightening teen labor market seen nationally, where the teen unemployment rate has risen over the year from 13.0 percent in April 2025 to 14.4 percent in April 2026.

Michigan Teen Summer Forecast

  • Teen labor force: 252,500
  • Teen employment: 207,100
  • Teen unemployment: 45,400
  • Teen unemployment rate: 18.0%

Industries and Occupations for Teens

Industries with strong seasonal demand will continue to offer the most opportunities. Sectors like Retail trade and Accommodation and food services employ many entry-level jobs which are in high demand. Michigan’s Online Job Advertisement Dashboard shows that occupations such as Retail salesperson, Fast food and counter worker, Stocker and order filler, and Customer service representative are continually some of the most advertised openings. These jobs require little to no prior experience and traditionally provide flexible hours, which make them ideal fits for young workers entering the labor force.

 

To learn more about the 2026 Michigan teen summer forecast, read the full press release from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.

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