Michigan jobless rate advances in September

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.9 percent between August and September, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment rose by 13,000 and unemployment advanced by 9,000 over the month. Michigan’s workforce rose by 23,000 during September.  

“The uptick in Michigan’s unemployment rate reflected an increase in unemployment and a decrease in payroll jobs during September,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “The state’s labor force continues to expand and has grown for nine months in a row.”

The national jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent during September. Michigan’s rate was one-tenth of a percentage point larger than the U.S. rate. The national unemployment rate increased by three-tenths of a percentage point over the year. Michigan’s rate was reduced by four-tenths of a percentage point since September 2022.   

(Note:  The UAW labor dispute began Sept. 15. The information in this release covers labor market trends for the week of Sept. 10–16. Due to the persons on strike having worked for part of that week, they are counted as employed in this month’s estimates. As a result, the labor dispute had no substantial impact on September’s employment situation.)

—Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s unemployment total increased for the third consecutive month during September.

• The state’s employment level rose by 3.7 percent over the year, an increase two full percentage points larger than the employment gain seen nationally (1.7 percent).

• Michigan’s quarterly average jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent between the second and third quarter of 2023.

The September statewide labor force participation rate rose by three-tenths of a percentage point to 61.6 percent over the month, while Michigan’s employment-population ratio increased by 0.2 percentage points to 59.2 percent.

—Detroit metro area unemployment rate increases in September

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted jobless rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.4 percent. Employment in the region rose by 11,000 and unemployment advanced by 5,000, resulting in a workforce gain of 16,000 during September.  

The Detroit MSA jobless rate was reduced by three-tenths of a percentage point over the year. Employment increased by 71,000 and unemployment fell by 3,000.

The Detroit region’s labor force rose by 68,000 since September 2022.

—Michigan nonfarm employment declines in September

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted payroll jobs receded by 10,000 between August and September, resulting in a job total of 4,433,000. The most pronounced over-the-month employment decrease occurred in the state’s leisure and hospitality sector (-8,000).   

—Industry employment trends and highlights

• Employment in the state’s manufacturing industry receded for the second consecutive month, with jobs decreasing by 3,000 since July 2023.

• Jobs advanced in the state’s trade, transportation, and utilities sector for the third consecutive month during September.

• Michigan’s quarterly nonfarm employment total edged up by 3,000, or 0.1 percent, between the second and third quarter of 2023.

• Over the year, Michigan total nonfarm employment rose by 51,000, or 1.2 percent.

• The largest over-the-year numerical industry job gains occurred in the state’s government (+24,000) and education and health services (+16,000) industries.

• Average weekly hours in Michigan’s transportation equipment manufacturing sector fell by 2.6 percent over the month.