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Michigan Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Grow Modestly in May

July 15, 2026

In May, seasonally adjusted statewide payroll jobs inched up by 2,600, marking the third consecutive month of increasing industry employment. Michigan added 16,500 jobs since February, which was the 10th largest gain seen among all 50 states over the same period.

Industry Employment

Author:

Reima Nasser

Economic Analyst

Michigan payroll employment rose for the third consecutive month during May.

Seasonally Adjusted Monthly Job Change 

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

 

During May, seasonally adjusted job growth in Michigan was most prominent in Manufacturing (+2,600); Government (+2,300); and Private education and health services (+1,500). These industry gains were partially offset by losses within Trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,500); Professional and business services (-1,100); and Leisure and hospitality (-900).

Over the month, the U.S. added 172,000 jobs, largely driven by gains in Leisure and hospitality (+70,000); Government (+52,000); and Private education and health services (+40,000). Since April, employment fell in only three supersectors, including Financial activities (-22,000); Trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,000); and Information (-2,000).

Michigan's Manufacturing sector demonstrated the greatest over-the-month job change.

Seasonally Adjusted Payroll Employment by Industry

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

 

Several Michigan Major Industry Sectors Have Lost Jobs Since Last Year

Since May 2025, total nonfarm payroll jobs in Michigan decreased by 8,500, or 0.2 percent. Six of 11 statewide major sectors including Trade, transportation, and utilities (-9,400); Manufacturing (-7,600); and Leisure and hospitality (-5,600) exhibited job losses over the year. The remaining supersectors recorded employment above their year-ago levels, with strong employment gains led by Government (+11,600) and Private education and health services (+6,700).

In the U.S., total payroll jobs increased by 503,000, or 0.3 percent, over the year. On a numeric basis, noteworthy job additions were recorded in Private education and health services (+610,000); Leisure and hospitality (+240,000); and Construction (+68,000). Since May 2025, Government lost the most jobs (-174,000).

Most Metro Areas Saw Employment Growth During May

On a not seasonally adjusted basis, 13 of Michigan’s 15 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) recorded job growth in May. Over the month, six regions exhibited job rate changes above or equal to the statewide average (+1.3 percent), whereas 11 metro areas saw job growth above the U.S. rate change (+0.5 percent). During May, Leisure and hospitality employment increased in all Michigan metro areas.

Since May 2025, only five metro areas noted employment growth whereas 10 regions experienced job declines. Over the year, job losses were led by Midland (-3.4 percent); Lansing (-1.9 percent); and Monroe (-0.9 percent).

Michigan payroll employment was generally up over the month in May, but down over the year in most metro regions.

Not Seasonally Adjusted

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

 

For more information on Michigan's statewide and regional labor markets, read the full press releases from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Download custom employment and unemployment data with the MCDA Data Search tool.

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