Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged over the month, remaining at 5.0 percent during September, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment fell by 27,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people increased by 1,000. Michigan’s labor force declined by 26,000 during September.

“Michigan’s labor market cooled as payroll jobs dipped in the third quarter. Declines were concentrated in the other services and professional and business services sectors this quarter,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “The state’s unemployment rate remained stable at 5.0 percent.”



The U.S. unemployment rate inched up by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.2 percent. Michigan’s September jobless rate was 0.8 percentage points greater than the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate fell by two-tenths of a percentage point, while the statewide rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point since September 2025.

Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s total labor force fell by 0.5 percent over the month, while the national workforce total moved up by 0.3 percent.
• The number of unemployed people in the state receded by 2.0 percent over the year, while the national number of unemployed decreased by 6.5 percent since September 2025.
• Over the year, total employment in Michigan declined by 3.6 percent, while the national employment total inched down by 0.3 percent.
• Michigan’s average quarterly unemployment rate was reduced by one-tenths of a percentage point since the second quarter of 2026, from 5.1 to 5.0 percent.
• The September statewide labor force participation rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 58.5 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio declined by four-tenths of a percentage point to 55.5 percent during September.

Michigan nonfarm payroll jobs decreased during September

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 6,000 to a total of 4,487,000 in September.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Total nonfarm employment in Michigan decreased in September largely due to job losses in private education and health services (-4,000).
• On a numeric basis, monthly job gains were led by construction and manufacturing, with employment increasing by 1,000 in each industry.
• Employment within other services fell for the third consecutive month, with jobs decreasing by 4,000 since June 2026.
• Michigan seasonally adjusted total payroll jobs were 2,000 above its year-ago level.
• Over the year, government (+15,000) and private education and health services (+4,000) recorded the most significant industry job gains.
• Since September 2025, professional and business services (-8,000) and trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,000) saw the most significant numerical job losses.

For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.