November 05, 2026
Total covered employment represents the number of employees covered by unemployment insurance who worked during, or received pay for, the pay period that included the 12th day of the month. Between March 2025 and March 2026, Michigan’s total covered employment increased by 12,800 employees across the state. Michigan’s average weekly wage increased by $54 (+3.9 percent) over the year, from $1,391 in the first quarter of 2025 to $1,445 in the first quarter of 2026. Twenty-four counties had a higher percentage increase in average weekly wages than the state overall.
The largest employment increases were seen in Allegan (+3,600), Wayne (+3,300), and Calhoun counties (+2,200). Macomb, Genesee, and Muskegon counties saw an increase of at least 1,000 employees as well.
Keweenaw County saw the largest percentage increase in employment by a wide margin, rising 23.2 percent over the year. Alger County had the second largest percentage (+9.4 percent), followed by Allegan County (+8.7 percent). Eleven counties saw at least a 5 percent increase in employment between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
The largest numerical decline in employment was in Oakland County, with a decrease of 10,100 employees over the year. The next largest declines were in Washtenaw County and Ingham County, each losing 3,100 jobs. Kent County's loss of 2,000 workers was the only other county to decline by at least 1,000 employees over the period.
Three counties had at least a 10 percent decline in employment over the year: Osceola (-12.5 percent), Lake (-11.1 percent), and Crawford counties (-10.7 percent). Roscommon County was the only other county with a decline larger than 3.5 percent (-9.4 percent).
The average weekly wage in Michigan increased to $1,445 from $1,391 over the period. Calhoun County had the largest rise in average weekly wage, growing by $121 over the year. Iosco County wages climbed by $103, the only other county to gain at least $100. Fourteen counties saw an average weekly wage increase greater than the state average of $54.
The largest decline in the average weekly wage was in Crawford County, from $1,284 in March 2025 to $1,013 in March 2026 (-$271). The next closest was Alger County, with a drop of $96 over the year. Fifteen counties in total saw a decline in average weekly wages.
Author:
Percentage Change in Average Weekly Wages for Michigan Counties, Total Covered Employment
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Between March 2025 and March 2026, Michigan’s average weekly wage increased by 3.9 percent. Alpena County had the largest percentage gain over that time, rising 9.5 percent. Calhoun (+8.8 percent), Iosco (+8.7 percent), and Monroe counties (+7.8 percent) were the only other counties to go up by at least 7 percent. Twenty-four counties had a larger percentage increase in the average weekly wage than the state’s average (3.9 percent). Of those counties, sixteen had an average weekly wage gain of at least 5 percent.
Crawford County’s average weekly wage declined by 21.1 percent over the period, the most of any county. The next largest drop was in Alger County, with a 9.1 percent decrease. Eight counties experienced at least a 1 percent loss in average weekly wages over the year.
Year-to-year variations in industry and county data can be due to the impact of administrative changes that are not related to actual economic events. These revisions include reclassification of industry codes and adjustments to county geographic codes that will create year-to-year series breaks in employment and wage levels.
