July 15, 2026
The Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) industry falls under the Nursing and residential care facilities subsector and Health care and social assistance sector, as classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The industry has experienced recent employment growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels. This industry offers long-term medical services and support to individuals who need inpatient nursing care, rehabilitative services, and continuous assistance with personal care activities. Common examples of these facilities include nursing homes, inpatient hospices, elderly living facilities with nursing care, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Nursing care facilities industry employed 43,700 people as of December 2025. These jobs made up 1.1 percent of Michigan’s total private employment, marginally lower than the national share of 1.2 percent. The industry added roughly 2,300 jobs over the year ending in December 2025, a 5.7 percent increase. The industry’s statewide median hourly wage in 2025 was $21.19, falling below the national median wage of $22.10 by 4.1 percent.
In December 2025, there were approximately 500 private establishments in Michigan’s Nursing care facilities industry. Small establishments (defined as those with fewer than 50 employees) accounted for roughly 200 establishments and 2,100 employees, or 4.9 percent of the total industry employment. Medium-sized establishments, with 50 to 499 employees, represented the largest share of employment at 85.3 percent, or about 37,300 employees, across roughly 300 establishments. There were four large firms with 500 or more employees that employed 4,300 workers, a 9.8 percent share of this industry’s workforce.
While this article highlights the Nursing care facilities industry, private employment projections are based upon the Nursing and residential care facilities subsector in Michigan, as the Nursing care facilities industry represents approximately 40.4 percent of the sector’s total employment. Between 2022 and 2032, the Nursing and residential care facilities subsector is projected to gain 2,870 jobs, a 3.2 percent increase. This equates to an average annual increase of 0.3 percent, which is below the projected annual rate for the broader Health care and social assistance sector of 0.7 percent. Strong employment growth within the Nursing care facilities industry and other industries within the Nursing and residential care facilities subsector has contributed to current employment surpassing projected employment levels.
Source: 2022-2032 Michigan Long-Term Employment Projections, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics; Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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