May 2026 | Released June 23, 2026
Download the full PDF for Michigan
Download the summary PDF for Michigan
United States
Employment snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 20, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 22.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 13. The largest payroll job percent increase was 1.4 percent in West Virginia. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.5 percent in Montana.
Michigan
Employment snapshot
In May, Michigan added 2,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 5.1 percent. In the prior month, Michigan added 8,900 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Michigan lost 8,500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Michigan ranks 39th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Michigan’s private sector added 300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 20,100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Michigan added 8,200 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Michigan fell by 20,270, and over the past 12 months it fell by 104,095.
Michigan’s labor force participation rate fell to 59.8 percent in May from 60.1 percent and ranks 38th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.6 percentage points.
Michigan
Payroll employment
Michigan added 2,600 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Michigan added 8,900 jobs. Michigan nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Michigan ranks 39th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Michigan added 300 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Michigan added 8,200 jobs. Michigan private sector payroll employment has increased in 3 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 120,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Michigan is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From April 2026 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Manufacturing (+2,600) and State and Local Government (+2,400).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,500) and Professional and Business Services (-1,100).
From May 2025 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were State and Local Government (+14,300) and Private Education and Health Services (+6,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-9,400) and Manufacturing (-7,600).
Michigan
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Michigan fell to 59.8 percent in May from 60.1 percent in the prior month.
Michigan ranks 38th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Michigan was 62.3 percent in June 2020, and the 10-year low was 56.7 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate remained steady at 61.8 percent in May.