Employment

Most employment opportunities available to U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal family members are in Southfield, Troy, Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills and Detroit.

Employment declined in 8 of the 10 largest counties in Michigan from September 2024 to September 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

• https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/summary/blssummary_detroit.pdf 
• https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/2026/countyemploymentandwages_michigan_20260318.htm

Visit the Department of Labor Statistics at the links above for more information about employment opportunities in the state of Michigan and the tri-county area surrounding the Detroit Arsenal (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb). 

Full-time K-12 teaching positions are not readily available. Individuals with teacher certifications from other states often substitute teach. Substitute pay averages $80 per day in public schools. You must register with the State Board of Education to substitute teach in any Michigan school.

Many family members find employment with national and local no-fee employment agencies. The Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program provides guidance, job search skills, training and job search assistance. Call 586-282-0489 for more information. 

There are limited number of non-appropriated fund jobs on the installation. Contact FMWR for further information. The commissary and exchange are located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, about 15 miles from the installation. Applications for commissary jobs may be submitted through the USAJOBS website. The exchange lists its job openings online. For Army Spouse Employment Program job partners and other local private employer job listings, visit Army Community Service in Building 230, Suite 1H055, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 586-282-0489 to view up to date job postings for Military Spouses with our partner agencies including SpouseWorks resources and Military Spouse Employment Program partner agencies.

There are 90 postsecondary educational institutions within 48 miles of the U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal. Educational programs range from one-year certificates to doctorate and postdoctoral offerings. There are public, private, non-profit and private for-profit institutions. Local and state colleges offer various tuition assistance and student financial aid. Contact the financial aid departments on the college websites.

My Career Advancement Application

For information on MyCAA and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource.

Unemployment benefits in Michigan are handled by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Unemployment benefit amounts depend upon where work was performed. You can apply for unemployment benefits online at the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website or by phone at 866-500-0017.

Most employment opportunities available to U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal family members are in Southfield, Troy, Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills and Detroit. The unemployment rate in Michigan is 5.5% in metro Detroit. The average median household income for the state of Michigan is $71,149. The median household income in Macomb County is 7.4% higher than Michigan's average at 74,909.

Michigan’s unemployment rate in 2026 is approximately 5.0–5.6%, slightly above the national average.

Current and Recent Data

As of April 2026, Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 5.0%, unchanged for six consecutive months. This rate is 0.7 percentage points higher than the U.S. national rate of 4.3% during the same period. Over the year, Michigan’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points compared to April 2025, while the national rate increased slightly by 0.1 percentage points. Michigan and Connecticut were tied for the seventh highest unemployment rate in the nation in April 2026, behind states such as Nevada, Delaware, California, Washington, Oregon, and Illinois. Total employment in Michigan fell by 0.4% over the month, and the labor force declined by 0.4% as well, reflecting a modest contraction in workforce participation and employment levels compared to national trends 

Projections for 2026

Economic forecasts indicate that Michigan’s unemployment rate is expected to rise to 5.6% by the second quarter of 2026, according to the University of Michigan Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics. This increase is partly associated with broader economic adjustments and labor market dynamics in the state 

Context and Implications

Michigan’s unemployment rate is influenced by factors such as job availability, workforce participation, and economic conditions in key sectors like manufacturing and services. While the rate is slightly higher than the national average, it reflects a relatively stable labor market compared to historical highs. The state also continues to support unemployed workers through enhanced benefits, with weekly unemployment payments increasing to $530 in 2026, up from $446 in 2025, and additional support for dependents 

In summary, Michigan’s unemployment rate in 2026 ranges from 5.0% in April to a projected 5.6% in the second quarter, remaining above the national average but showing stability in recent months.