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Healthcare Occupations Expected to Top Michigan Job Growth Through 2034

October 08, 2026

The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics has recently released statewide employment projections for 2024 to 2034, estimating a gain of 18,320 jobs (+0.4 percent) over that period. However, not all occupations share this expected growth. While this month's feature article focuses on trends across Michigan’s major occupational groups, this article highlights the top-growing individual occupations statewide.

Healthcare occupations feature prominently among the top occupations with the largest projected employment gains statewide, with five of the top 10 coming from Healthcare practitioners and technical and Healthcare support occupations. By numeric growth, Home health and personal care aides ranks first in projected jobs added statewide over the decade, at 14,200, followed by Registered nurses (+9,030). Still, a number of occupations from a variety of other occupational groups are all among the top 10. These include Stockers and order fillers (+4,410), ranked third; Medical and health services managers (+4,010), in fourth place; and Software developers (+3,270), sixth on the list.

Home health and personal care aides are projected to add the most jobs statewide from 2024 to 2034.

Projected Job Additions by Occupation, 2024 to 2034

Occupation

Numeric Growth

Home Health and Personal Care Aides

14,200

Registered Nurses

9,030

Stockers and Order Fillers

4,410

Medical and Health Services Managers

4,010

Nurse Practitioners

3,410

Software Developers

3,270

Medical Assistants

3,130

Cooks, Restaurant

2,910

Nursing Assistants

2,560

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

2,480

Source: 2024 to 2034 Michigan Statewide Long-Term Employment Projections, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

 

When categorized by percent growth, healthcare occupations typically have higher employment increases than other occupations. Ranking first is Nurse practitioners, which is expected to surge by 41.5 percent from 2024 to 2034. However, several Computer and mathematical occupations also made the top 10, such as Data scientists (+28.3 percent); Actuaries (+23.8 percent); and Information security analysts (+21.8 percent), ranked second, fourth, and 10th, respectively.

Nurse practitioners are expected to post the highest rate of growth statewide over the decade.

Projected Job Additions by Occupation, 2024 to 2034

Occupation

Percent Change

Nurse Practitioners

41.5%

Data Scientists

28.3%

Medical and Health Services Managers

25.1%

Actuaries

23.8%

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

23.5%

Veterinarians

23.5%

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

23.4%

Physical Therapist Assistants

23.2%

Physician Assistants

22.9%

Information Security Analysts

21.8%

Source: 2024 to 2034 Michigan Statewide Long-Term Employment Projections, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

 

For a comprehensive overview of Michigan’s long-term statewide employment trends, see this month’s feature article.

For more information on Michigan's employment projections, or to download the latest data, visit Employment Projections.

Employment Projections

Author:

Tyler Leighton

Economic Analyst

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