Regional Talent

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Create Your Own Detroit Regional Data Report

You can download the data tables below by selecting the file on the side of the page. After adding your data, click “Your PDF” to view, add or download your file.

For a visual look at the region, check out our Regional Snapshot, an infographic with some of the region’s most important statistics.

Talent Drives Business Growth

In 2017, the Detroit region’s civilian labor force was greater than  2.5 million. Southeast Michigan is not short of skilled labor and is one of the area’s primary assets as a manufacturing location. This stable and well-educated workforce is ready and able to adapt to the changing needs of today’s technological innovations. In fact, Michigan is among the nation’s leaders for skilled manufacturing workers. The regional broad base of manufacturing expertise assists in the recruiting and training of staff.

In addition to a large pool of graduates from the area’s top-rated private universities and two-year colleges, regional Detroit employers have access to graduates from excellent schools including the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Oakland University, and Eastern Michigan University.

Regional Detroit Largest Occupations

The Detroit region is a large employer of service and retail occupations, indicating its presence as a hub for all types of retailers as well as a growing center for the restaurant business. The Detroit region is also a renowned center for health care providers, demonstrated through its employment of over 55,000 registered nurses, a number that continues to grow each year.

Description2017 Jobs2017 Median Hourly Earnings
Retail Salespersons83,448$11.04
Combined Food Preparation and Serving66,883$9.52
Office Clerks, General60,869$15.97
Real Estate Sales Agents59,628$19.81
Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other, Including Team Assemblers
56,641$17.71
Registered Nurses55,492$34.11
Customer Service Representatives51,731$15.89
Cashiers48,416$9.87
Waiters and Waitresses44,902$9.71
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
43,503$11.67
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers40,576$18.01
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
37,928$17.10
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
37,114$13.86
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
34,288$26.73
Mechanical Engineers
34,053$44.23
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
33,889$10.70
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
32,775$11.31
General and Operations Managers32,597$50.71
Postsecondary Teachers31,341$23.57
Personal Care Aides
31,262$10.03
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

Fastest Growing Occupations in the Detroit Region, Net Change 

It is estimated that over the next ten years the Detroit region will add more than 182,000 jobs to its workforce. Management occupations lead the growth with an expected 20,000 positions forecast followed by Sales and related occupations and Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations.

Description2017 Jobs2026 JobsNet Change
Personal Care Aides31,26240,4659,203
Real Estate Sales Agents59,62866,8477,219
Registered Nurses
55,49261,2535,761
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
33,88939,5265,637
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
40,57646,0725,496
Home Health Aides
24,47829,9035,425
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
66,88371,8784,995
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
25,15029,2604,110
Software Developers, Applications
19,44823,4864,038
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
11,19415,2154,021
Managers, All Other
27,12330,6753,552
Postsecondary Teachers
31,34134,7733,432
General and Operations Managers
32,59736,0283,431
Mechanical Engineers
34,05337,2913,238
Personal Financial Advisors
20,62423,7963,172
Customer Service Representatives
51,73154,8293,098
Nonfarm Animal Caretakers
16,01818,7862,768
Construction Laborers
22,42625,0732,647
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
24,67627,2462,570
Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
11,90814,4732,565
Total Forecasted Job Growth86,378
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

Fastest Growing Occupations in the Detroit Region, Percent Change

Construction and extraction occupations take the top 4 spots for occupation growth by percent. Derrick operators, service unit operators, roustabouts and rotary drill operators are all expected to grow by more than 50 percent. Aerospace engineers follow closely with expected growth of 49 percent.

Description2017 Jobs2026 Jobs% Change
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
1832
78%
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
11217657%
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
10716554%
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
487352%
Aerospace Engineers
235356
51%
Computer and Information Research Scientists
20530649%
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
105156
49%
Cooks, Private Household
649244%
Prosthodontists
1420
43%
Geographers
243442%
Environmental Engineering Technicians
162227
40%
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs11,19415,21536%
Elevator Installers and Repairers
392528
35%
Financial Clerks, All Other
50567834%
Civil Engineers
6,4818,596
33%
Information Security Analysts
1,1841,56632%
Gaming Service Workers, All Other
597832%
Surveyors
71594232%
Mathematicians
455931%
Statisticians
47261731%
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

Highest Paid Occupations in the Detroit Region

The Detroit region is filled with expert health care practitioners and medical specialists. In 2017, highly specialized medical workers (anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurse anesthetists, orthodontists, etc.) all displayed median hourly earnings over $80.

Highest Paid Occupations 2017

Description2017 Jobs2017 Median Hourly Earnings
Surgeons1,203$99.50
Anesthesiologists635$95.26
Nurse Anesthetists1,426$91.23
Prosthodontists14$89.22
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
105$87.81
Orthodontists106$84.14
Psychiatrists
581$83.59
Internists, General
2,104$83.21
Dentists, All Other Specialists94$80.50
Dentists, General3,314$78.95
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

 

STEM Occupations in the Detroit Region

With more than 200 occupational and educational programs granting nearly 33,000 STEM related degrees in 2017, the Detroit region develops professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while making sure it retains them. The current STEM workforce in metro Detroit totals over 425,000 workers.

Michigan leads the nation in mechanical and industrial engineering talent. There are more than 44,000 mechanical engineers and 28,000 industrial engineers employed throughout the state. Most of these engineers are employed with companies located within the Detroit region.

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

SOCDescription2017 Jobs2027 Jobs2017 Avg. Hourly Earnings
11-3021Computer and Information Systems Managers7,0127,766$62.87
15-1111Computer and Information Research Scientists205306$47.75
15-1121Computer Systems Analysts13,75014,419$40.53
15-1122Information Security Analysts1,1841,566$45.96
15-1131Computer Programmers3,6563,673$32,59
15-1132Software Developers, Applications19,4823,486$44.82
15-1133Software Developers, Systems Software8,8489,759$42.68
15-1134Web Developers3,7454,263$24.19
15-1141Database Administrators1,9692,146$42.05
15-1142Network and Computer Systems Administrators5,5625,970$38.85
15-1143Computer Network Architects2,5112,672$49.52
15-1151Computer User Support Specialists12,31013,308$24.67
15-1199Computer Occupations, All Other7,0267,564$36.92
15-2011Actuaries239286$52.71
15-2021Mathematicians4559$41.43
15-2031Operations Research Analysts1,3871,748$42.35
15-2041Statistiians472617$40.11
15-2098Miscellaneous Mathematical Science Occupations3438$42.00
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

SOCDescription2017 Jobs2026 Jobs2017 Avg. Hourly Earnings
17-1011Architects, Except Landscape and Naval2,9963,124$32.93
17-1012Landscape Architects459494$28.20
17-1021Cartographers and Photogrammetrists209242$32.62
17-1022Surveyors715942$28.78
17-2011Aerospace Engineers236356$40.77
17-2021Agricultural Engineers2224$41.77
17-2031Biomedical Engineers40161$34.56
17-2041Chemical Engineers467568$51.08
17-2051Civil Engineers6,4818,596$38.37
17-2061Computer Hardware Engineers1,1861,325$42.48
17-2071Electrical Engineers7,4128,463$43.27
17-2072Electronics Engineers, Except Computer2,5372,832$41.51
17-2081Environmental Engineers8891,052$46.20
17-2111Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors514562$39.67
17-2112Industrial Engineers19,43820,977$44.86
17-2121Marine Engineers and Naval Architects198244$45.43
17-2131Materials Engineers874935$41.72
17-2141Mechanical Engineers34,05337,291$45.39
17-2151Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Mechanical Engineers		86103$45.28
17-2161 Nuclear Engineers380405$45.74
17-2171Petroleum Engineers171206$60.10
17-2199Engineers, All Other
6,4166,824$45.08
17-3011Architectural and Civil Drafters19382405$23.85
17-3012Electrical and Electronics Drafters404501$25.37
17-3013Mechanical Drafters2,0772,244$27.91
17-3019Drafters, All Other260314$24.07
17-3021Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians254304$34.60
17-3022Civil Engineering Technicians1,3771,799$23.83
17-3023Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians2,0772,355$29.33
17-3024Electro-Mechanical Technicians342378$31.12
17-3025Environmental Engineering Technicians162227$25.23
17-3026Industrial Engineering Technicians2,8082,833$226.55
17-3027Mechanical Engineering Technicians3,6033,783$27..49
17-3029Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other1,6151,774$30.75
17-3031Surveying and Mapping Technicians765945$22.70
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

SOCDescription2017 Jobs2026 Jobs2017 Avg. Hourly Earnings
19-1012Food Scientists and Technologists358389$34.71
19-1013Soil and Plant Scientists203226$29.06
19-1021Biochemists and Biophysicists265319$38.58
19-1022Microbiologists189223$31.86
19-1023Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists8199$32.11
19-1029Biological Scientists, All Other282334$38.82
19-1031Conservation Scientists106117$30.45
19-1032Foresters6667$29.29
19-1041Epidemiologists8592$35.29
19-1042Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists2,1022,334$30.66
19-1099Life Scientists, All Other97106$37.06
19-2011Astronomers
3035$58.10
19-2012Physicists1754271$63.66
19-2021Atmospheric and Space Scientists67139$45.19
19-2031Chemists1,2931,915$39.02
19-2032Materials Scientists405185$48.68
19-2041Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health681,493$33.56
19-2042Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers426500$40.04
19-2043Hydrologists688437.89
19-2099Physical Scientists, All Other426490$40.65
19-3011Economists151173$44.90
19-3022Survey Researchers292342$26.85
19-3031Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists5,6095,978$39.27
19-3032Industrial-Organizational Psychologists3226$45.18
19-3039Psychologists, All Other541623$43.61
19-3041Sociologists5166$36.20
19-3051Urban and Regional Planners338393$30.94
19-3091Anthropologists and Archaeologists107128$29.17
19-3092Geographers2434$33.86
19-3094Political Scientists6783$44.99
19-3099Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other385451$35.24
19-4011Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
219254$19.96
19-4021Biological Technicians711847$18.78
19-4031Chemical Technicians1,1671,360$23.54
19-4041Geological and Petroleum Technicians217254$25.55
19-4051Nuclear Technicians5462$42.07
19-4061Social Science Research Assistants
680757$21.31
19-4091Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health558645$24.07
19-4092Forensic Science Technicians177183$29.79
19-4093Forest and Conservation Technicians166204$19.14
19-4099Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other2,5002,709$21.21
25-2023Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School9582$27.34
25-2032Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School467445$27.35
27-1021Commercial and Industrial Designers4,8685,206$35.71
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l

Health Care Occupations

SOCOccupation Description2017 Jobs2026 Jobs2017 Ave. Hourly Wages
29-1010Chiropractors
952

979
$34.59
29-1020Dentists
3,6333,877
$85.25
29-1030Dietitians and Nutritionists
1,3681,485
$29.04
29-1040Optometrists10691,192$56.15
29-1050Pharmacists
5,5725,727
$55.52
29-1060Physicians and Surgeons23,15424,204
$82.62
29-1070Physician Assistants
2,6913,290$48.43
29-1080Podiatrists
433406
$48.77
29-1120Therapists
16,02818,621
$36.74
29-1130Veterinarians
1,3181,537
$45.11
29-1140Registered Nurses

55,49261,253
$34.43
29-1150Nurse Anesthetists
1,4261,529
$90.03
29-1160Nurse Midwives
103120
$46.38
29-1170Nurse Practitioners
2,6003,324
$50.23
29-1180Audiologists
230275
$35.35
29-1190Miscellaneous Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
1,5701,795
$28.41
29-2010Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
8,7919,015
$37.53
29-2020Dental Hygienists
5,7876,338
$30.07
29-2030Diagnostic Related Technologists and Technicians
8,5199,051
$28.75
29-2040Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
3,6734,219
$15.95
29-2050Health Practitioner Support Technologists and Technicians
14,36315,445
$16.98
29-2060Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
8,67310,376
$23.93
29-2070Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
3,6914,062
$19.66
29-2080Opticians, Dispensing
2,0612,278
$17.96
29-2090Miscellaneous Health Technologists and Technicians
2,3322,627
$26.63
29-9010Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians
1,4331,608
$35.66
29-9090Miscellaneous Health Practitioners and Technical Workers
1,1531,348
$33.92

 

Jobs Forecast

Region2017 Jobs2026 Jobs% Growth
Southeast Michigan3,096,5503,278,7696.0%
United States196,403,461217,253,77411.0%
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Int'l.

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