Workforce Overview

Employer demand increased to 320,006 jobs posted during Q4 2020, reflecting both an overall pattern of growing demand and the increased recovery from COVID-19 shutdown measures.

During Q4 2020, there were 320,006 job postings, 19,674 more (6.6 percent) than the 300,332 postings made during Q3 2020 in the 16county WIN region. Almost all the occupation groups this quarter has seen an increase in postings, indicating a steady rebound in job ads since Q2 2020 (the height of pandemic related job losses). Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics saw the greatest demand in Q4 2020. For more information about quarterly job postings, see page 9.

Posting Trends by Occupation Group Q4 2020

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics occupations seen the greatest demand in postings in Q4 2020, with 69,343 postings.

Heavy and Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers is the top requested occupation this quarter and has retained this spot since Q2 2020. While most occupation groups this quarter required postsecondary education, TDL jobs typically require a high school diploma. Many postings this quarter were open to entry level workers, accounting for 22.2 percent in southeast Michigan.

Experience Levels In-Demand

Q4 2020

Quarterly employment data for Q4 2020 in the 16-county WIN region indicates a gain of 88,955 jobs, or 3.5 percent, since Q3 2020.

The labor market in southeast Michigan is showing continued Q4 recovery in both the labor force and employment since Q2 2020 (the height of pandemic job losses). During Q4 2020, labor force figures were 1.8 percent higher (50,530 individuals) and employment is 3.5 percent higher (88,955 individuals) than in Q3 2020. The unemployment rate has declined to 8.1 percent in Q4 2020, a 1.5 percentage point decrease since Q3 2020, which was recorded at 9.6 percent. For more information about this year’s unemployment rate and other labor market indicators, see page 4.

Monthly Labor Market Data