November 05, 2026
On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 6,300 to a total of 4,487,400 during September. Despite this over-the-month decrease, Michigan’s average quarterly payroll employment rose by 5,900 during the third quarter of 2026, ranking 14th highest among all 50 states in quarterly employment gains.
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Seasonally Adjusted Monthly Job Change
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
During September, Michigan’s decline in payroll employment was largely driven by reductions in Private education and health services (-3,900). Multiple sectors including Other services (-1,800); Leisure and hospitality (-1,400); and Financial activities (-1,100) also recorded notable declines over the month. Increases in the state’s Manufacturing (+700); Construction (+600); and Government (+400) sectors partially offset over-the-month job losses.
Across the U.S., total nonfarm payroll employment rose by +29,000, or 0.0 percent, over the month. Modest job gains were seen in the nation’s Private education and health services (+20,000); Trade, transportation and utilities (+18,000); and Construction (+11,000) sectors during September. Industries such as Government (-17,000); Information (-10,000); and Professional and business services (-9,000) recorded employment declines during September.
Average quarterly payroll employment in Michigan rose 5,900 during third quarter 2026. Michigan’s increases in quarterly payroll jobs were largely driven by growth within the Government (+4,400); Private education and health services (+2,900); and Manufacturing (+2,700) sectors. The only sectors to see employment declines during third quarter 2026 were Professional and business services (-6,500); Other services (-1,500); and Financial activities (-800).
Seasonally Adjusted Payroll Employment by Industry
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Since September 2025, total nonfarm payroll jobs in Michigan rose by 2,000, or 0.0 percent. Over the year, five of 11 statewide industries displayed employment gains, with the largest increases being in Government (+14,900); Private education and health services (+4,100); and Leisure and hospitality (+1,600). The state’s Professional and business services (-7,700); Trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,400); and Construction (-3,000) recorded the greatest over-the-year decreases.
Over the year, total payroll employment in the U.S. increased by 0.3 percent, three-tenths of a percentage point above Michigan’s rate of change. The most notable over-the-year job additions were in the Private education and health services (+1.9 percent) and Construction (+1.3 percent) sectors.
On a not seasonally adjusted basis, payroll jobs advanced in seven of 15 Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) during September. All seven metro areas that experienced payroll growth during September outpaced Michigan’s rate change (+0.0 percent). Seven metro areas saw reductions in employment over the month, with the Traverse City MSA (-2.2 percent) seeing the greatest decline in September. Employment in the Niles metro area was unchanged over the month.
Over the year, nine of Michigan’s 15 metro areas displayed payroll job gains. The Traverse City (+2.6 percent) and Monroe (+1.2 percent) metro areas exhibited the greatest over-the-year job growth among all areas. Five areas saw payroll job declines over the year, while employment was unchanged in Bay City since September 2025.
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.
