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2026 Women in the Michigan Workforce Report

2026 Women in the Michigan Workforce Report

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2026 Women in the Michigan Workforce Report

This report is an update to the 2024 Women in the Michigan Workforce report, with a continued focus on earnings, parental status, and employment by industries and occupations. In addition, the current report offers information on the Michigan labor force, industry projections, and international comparisons. 

2026 Women in the Michigan Workforce Report

Executive Summary

  • Michigan women who work full-time, year-round, earn approximately 79 cents per dollar that men earn. This disparity is larger when including part-time workers at 71 cents per dollar.
  • Median earnings for women who work full-time, year-round increased by 2.8 percent over the year while comparable earnings for men in Michigan jumped by 5.9 percent.
  • Labor force participation for Michigan women has grown since 1980 while men’s participation has declined. 
  • Women with children under five in the U.S. have a labor force participation rate of 73 percent compared to 95 percent among male counterparts.
    Four out of every five Michigan workers in Healthcare and social assistance are women.
  • Industries dominated by women are projected to experience employment growth through 2032 in Michigan.
  • The U.S. lags other countries in labor force participation among prime-age workers but shows unique patterns when considering the presence of children.