October 08, 2026
On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by 2,200 to a total of 4,496,100 in August. Over the month, job losses were seen across several major industries.
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Seasonally Adjusted Monthly Job Change
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Michigan payroll employment rose in only three industry sectors during August, led by job additions in Private education and health services (+2,000). This month’s gains were more than offset by job declines in Manufacturing (-2,000) and Other services (-1,300).
Across the U.S., total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 162,000, or 0.1 percent, over the month. In August, employment gains were primarily seen in Leisure and hospitality (+62,000); Government (+35,000); and Private education and health services (+29,000). Since July, Information (-23,000) and Financial activities (-11,000) were the only major industry sectors to record job losses.
Seasonally Adjusted Payroll Employment by Industry
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Since August 2025, total nonfarm payroll jobs in Michigan increased by 8,000, or 0.2 percent. Over the year, five of 11 statewide industries demonstrated strong employment growth, with job additions seen in Government (+15,600); Private education and health services (+7,800); and Leisure and hospitality (+1,400). Despite overall job increases over the year, employment contracted in Professional and business services (-6,400); Construction (-4,000); and Trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,800).
In the U.S., payrolls advanced by 603,000 over the year. Since August 2025, the most significant job increases were seen in Private education and health services (+539,000); Professional and business services (+152,000); and Leisure and hospitality (+131,000).
On a non seasonally adjusted basis, employment grew in eight of 15 Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) during August. Over the month, the same eight metro areas also recorded growth rates greater than Michigan’s rate change (+0.1 percent). In August, three metro areas saw a reduction in employment, while payroll employment remained unchanged in four metro areas since July 2026.
Over the year, nine of Michigan’s 15 metro areas saw employment growth. The largest over-the-year rate changes were observed in the Jackson (+1.2 percent), Flint (+1.1 percent), and Traverse City (+0.9 percent) metro areas. The remaining six metro areas observed yearly declines, led by Midland and Muskegon (-1.2 percent each).
Not Seasonally Adjusted Payroll Employment Change
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.
