Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate receded by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.1 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Statewide employment advanced by 17,000 over the month, while unemployment fell by 7,000, resulting in a labor force gain of 10,000 in March.
“Michigan’s labor market has been positive for the first three months of 2023,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “The three-month average jobless rate receded by two-tenths of a percentage point since the fourth quarter of 2022.”
The national unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point between February and March to 3.5 percent. Michigan’s March rate was 0.6 percentage points larger than the national rate. The U.S. jobless rate declined by one-tenth of a percentage point over the year, while Michigan’s rate remained unchanged since March 2022.
Labor force trends and highlights
Michigan’s labor force rose by 10,000, or 0.2 percent, over the month; an increase similar to the workforce gain seen nationally (0.3 percent).
Total unemployment in the state advanced by 2.0 percent over the year, while the U.S. unemployment level receded by 2.2 percent since March 2022.
Michigan’s first quarter 2023 average unemployment rate of 4.2 percent was 0.2 percentage points below the rate seen in the previous quarter (4.4 percent).
The March statewide labor force participation rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 59.9 percent over the month, while Michigan’s employment-population ratio increased by 0.2 percentage points to 57.5 percent.
Detroit metro area unemployment rate declines during March
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted employment total rose by 9,000 over the month, while total unemployment fell by 5,000, resulting in a minor workforce gain and a jobless rate reduction since February.
The Detroit MSA unemployment rate also decreased over the year. Both total employment and unemployment fell since March 2022. The regional labor force decreased by 16,000 over the year.
Michigan payroll employment stable in March
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs was nearly unchanged over the month, edging up by 2,000 since February. Minor employment changes were seen across multiple Michigan industries during March.
Industry employment trends and highlights
The statewide education and health services sector demonstrated the largest over-the-month employment increase in March (+2,000).
Jobs in the state’s leisure and hospitality sector advanced for the third consecutive month.
Average weekly hours in the manufacturing industry fell by five percent over the year.
Statewide nonfarm jobs rose by 75,000, or 1.7 percent, since March 2022.
On a numerical basis, Michigan’s government industry exhibited the largest employment gain over the year (+22,000).
Michigan quarterly average nonfarm employment increased by 24,000, or 0.6 percent, since fourth quarter 2022.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs were only 33,000, or 0.7 percent, below its February 2020 pre-pandemic level.
