Michigan jobless rate edges up in November

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate advanced by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.3 percent between October and November, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Both total employment and unemployment in the state rose over the month, resulting in a labor force gain of 23,000 during November.

“Despite an uptick in the unemployment rate this month, Michigan’s labor market is rebounding from the auto-related strike and associated layoff activity,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs rose by 7,000 during November, with modest job gains seen in the state’s auto sector.”

The national jobless rate inched down by two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.7 percent in November. Michigan’s rate was 0.6 percentage points above the U.S. rate. The national unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point over the year, while Michigan’s rate was reduced by one-tenth of a percentage point since November 2022.

—Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s unemployment rate continued its upward trend for the fourth consecutive month during November.

• The state’s total workforce rose by 0.5 percent over the month, an increase comparable to the labor force advance observed nationally (+0.3 percent).

• Michigan’s over-the-year percentage employment gain of 4.3 percent was 2.1 percentage points above the U.S. total employment increase (+2.2 percent).

• The November statewide labor force participation rate increased by three-tenths of a percentage point to 62.1 percent over the month, while Michigan’s employment-population ratio rose by 0.2 percentage points to 59.5 percent.

—Detroit metro area jobless rate advances in November

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by three-tenths of a percentage point during November to 4.1 percent. Employment in the region rose by 3,000 and unemployment advanced by 7,000, resulting in a workforce gain of 10,000 over the month.

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points over the year. Since November 2022, both total employment and unemployment rose, resulting in a regional labor force increase of 87,000 over the year.

—Michigan payroll employment increases during November

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 7,000, or 0.2 percent, over the month, resulting in a job total of 4,423,000.

—Industry employment trends and highlights

• Following the end of auto-related strike and layoff activity, Michigan’s manufacturing sector exhibited the largest over-the-month numerical gain, with employment rising by 8,000 since October.

• Leisure and hospitality jobs decreased by 3,000 over the month and 6,000 over the year primarily due to the impact of the casino worker strike, which occurred during November.

• Payroll jobs in the state’s transportation equipment manufacturing sector increased by 5,000, or 2.9 percent, during November.

• Over the year, Michigan total nonfarm employment rose by 34,000, or 0.8 percent.

• The most pronounced over-the-year numerical industry job gains occurred in the state’s education and health services (+20,000) and government (+19,000) sectors.

• Average weekly earnings in Michigan’s manufacturing industry rose by 1.6 percent over the month.