Construction sector reaches 20-year high with 200,000 employed, labor participation rate at highest level since 2009 

LANSING, MI - On October 30, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted recently released state data showing the state of Michigan added 27,000 jobs in Fiscal Year 2024, reflecting the strong underlying economy.   

“Michiganders are rolling up their sleeves to build more homes, fix the damn roads, and drive our economy forward,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, we celebrate the addition of 27,000 new jobs in Michigan over the past year as we continue bringing home manufacturing jobs, repairing our infrastructure, and supporting main street small business. Together, we will continue helping entrepreneurs invest and expand in Michigan, lower costs on the kitchen-table priorities for working families, and help our workers get the education and skills they need to get even better-paying jobs. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and build a brighter future.”

Statistical data provided by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) indicated the construction sector was up 6.6% for the year - the strongest growth of any sector - adding 13,000 jobs. Michigan has had more than 200,000 people working in construction since March, a level not previously reached in more than 20 years.   

Other data released from DTMB noted that Michigan’s unemployment rate is a strong 4.5%. More importantly, Michigan’s labor force participation rate - the share of Michiganders in the workforce - went above 62 percent in June 2023 and has stayed at that level since, the best readings since 2009.   

In addition to working more, Michiganders are making more. Average hourly wages for Michigan manufacturing workers are up 5% from since last September, growing twice the rate of inflation. Total private sector hourly wages are up 4.2% year over year.     

Investing in Michigan’s Economy

Governor Whitmer is focused on growing Michigan’s economy, bringing home supply chains of cars, chips, and clean energy and ensuring every community can thrive.

- Michigan named national leader in battery and clean energy race, with $21.3 billion in projects, 16,600+ jobs created, 167,000 jobs projected.

- Announced over 40,000 new good-paying auto jobs building cars, components, and batteries

- Established the Growing Michigan Together Council to create a plan to grow Michigan’s population, including identifying a population goal by 2050.

- Secured $500 million for the Make it in Michigan Fund to continue competing with other states and nations to bring home advanced manufacturing projects.

- Signed a budget with funds to support Michigan’s current and future workforce, including specialized economic assistance to business locating or expanding in Michigan, building vibrant neighborhoods and downtowns, and more affordable housing.

- Established an Innovation Fund to launch hundreds of new Michigan-based companies, creating thousands of jobs. 

- Worked to establish Michigan as the #1 state for energy sector job growth, automotive industry and electric vehicle investments. 

- Ushered in fastest small business growth in 23 years and a 24% increase in revenue, making Michigan one of the Top 10 states for business.

- Signed a bipartisan tax cut, reduced tax burden, and increased tax flexibility for small businesses, enabling them to grow and create jobs. 

- Brought Michigan construction jobs to a 22-year high.

- Won $1 billion in federal funding for clean hydrogen hub, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and building on Michigan’s manufacturing leadership. 

- Established new Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation, enhancing state’s defense and aerospace ecosystem. 

- Announced a $50 million partnership to build Michigan’s defense manufacturing workforce.