Women make up almost half of Michigan’s labor force, according to a new report released on April 2 by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics in partnership with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The Women in the Michigan Workforce report shows that while women are driving workforce growth, significant disparities remain, including wage gaps and challenges accessing childcare.
The findings matter because they highlight ongoing barriers that limit women’s advancement and retention in the workforce. These include differences in pay, access to higher-paying fields, and supportive services such as affordable childcare.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “In Michigan, we’re committed to closing pay gaps and helping women thrive. While workforce participation has grown, women still only earn approximately 79 cents for every dollar that men earn. That’s why we are making historic investments to remove barriers and boost access to child care, paid leave, and education and training for women. Creating more opportunity for women helps us build a thriving economy, strengthen families and unlock the full potential of our communities. Let’s keep working together to make Michigan the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
The report found that median earnings for full-time working women rose by 2.8% from $50,990 in 2023 to $52,390 in 2024; however, men’s earnings grew faster at 5.9%, reaching $66,130. This widened the wage gap among full-time earners from 82 cents on the dollar last year to 79 cents this year. Occupational differences contribute: many women work in lower-paying industries even as those sectors grow.
Susan Corbin, director of LEO said: “Equal pay for equal work should be more than a saying… In Michigan we’re committed to ensuring women have the skills they need to land quality jobs and stay in them. That means removing barriers addressing pay equity and creating clear pathways to advancement. When women succeed it strengthens our workforce businesses and communities.”
Additional challenges such as caregiving responsibilities or lack of affordable childcare can disrupt careers—only about 73% of U.S. mothers with children under five participate in the labor force compared with 95% of fathers—and these factors reduce earning potential over time.
To address these issues LEO is expanding programs like Registered Apprenticeships along with STEM career pathways aimed at increasing women’s participation in high-wage fields where they have been historically underrepresented.
Stephanie Beckhorn deputy director at LEO said: “Michigan’s investment in education and training opportunities for women is helping expand access to new career pathways but there is more work to do… Expanding access opens doors which is critical to building a stronger more resilient economy.”
The Bureau of Labor & Economic Opportunity aims broadly “to broaden economic opportunities and foster prosperity for all,” according to its official website. It serves residents across Michigan through initiatives spanning economic development workforce training housing mobility unemployment assistance as detailed online. The bureau operates within economic development strategies focused on strengthening talent pipelines statewide according its official site.
