LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.0 percent in November, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. However, payroll jobs rebounded in November reflecting the return of workers impacted by the October strike in the auto industry.

Michigan’s November jobless rate remained unchanged over the year. The U.S. jobless rate fell by two-tenths of a percentage point during this period. The state’s November jobless rate was half a percentage point above the national jobless rate of 3.5 percent.  

“The number of employed residents, and the count of payroll jobs in Michigan both rose in November,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Payroll jobs advanced by 25,000 in November, largely due to the end of the strike in the auto industry. The number of unemployed residents in the state also moved down over the month.”

Monthly labor force trends and highlights

• During November, Michigan’s total workforce level was little changed. The state’s labor force receded by 7,000 since August 2019.
• The state’s total number of employed expanded by 52,000, or 1.1 percent, since November 2018, a percentage gain identical to the nation.
• The number of Michigan unemployed was little changed over the year. In comparison, U.S. total unemployment fell by 3.4 percent since November 2018.

Detroit metropolitan area’s November jobless rate declines

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA’s) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell in November by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.0 percent. Employment inched up by 2,000, while unemployment receded by 3,000, resulting in a minimal change in the size of the regional workforce.

Over the year, the Detroit metro region jobless rate was also unchanged. Total employment advanced by 1.5 percent, and the number of unemployed edged up by 1.2 percent. The Detroit labor force expanded by 1.5 percent since November 2018.

November payroll jobs rise following end of auto labor dispute

Michigan’s monthly survey of employers indicated that November seasonally adjusted payroll jobs in the state advanced by 25,000 over the month to 4,447,000. This increase was mostly due to a substantial rebound in jobs in the state’s manufacturing industry. This reflected the end of the October strike in the auto sector, as well as recalls of workers on layoff due to the strike.

Industry employment trends and highlights                  

• In 2019, payroll jobs in Michigan advanced during six of the first eleven months.
• Michigan payroll jobs edged up by 0.4 percent over the year, well below the national gain of 1.5 percent.
• Jobs in the state’s transportation equipment manufacturing sector rose by 19,000 in November with the end of the October auto strike.
• After two consecutive months of payroll employment declines, professional and business services recorded an increase in jobs over the month.
• On a numerical basis, professional and business services had the second largest over-the-month nonfarm job gain (+7,000).
• After two months of employment advances, the state’s leisure and hospitality sector inched down by 2,000 over the month. Jobs in this sector were up by 9,000 over the year.

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

###