Industries with the highest employment in Detroit
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
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Industries with the highest employment in Detroit
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in Detroit are the surest bets for employment.
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#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 1,319 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +129.8%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 1,319 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +129.8%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 5,164 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +258.1%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 5,164 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +258.1%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 13,547 (0.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +2.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 13,547 (0.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +2.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Information
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 25,406 (1.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -20.9%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 25,406 (1.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -20.9%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
#15. Real estate and rental and leasing
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 36,319 (1.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +15.4%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 36,319 (1.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +15.4%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
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#14. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 44,458 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +39.2%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 44,458 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +39.2%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
#13. Wholesale trade
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 50,189 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +10.2%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 50,189 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +10.2%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#12. Public administration
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 61,887 (3.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -6.5%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 61,887 (3.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -6.5%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#11. Transportation and warehousing
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 84,122 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +37.3%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 84,122 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +37.3%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#10. Administrative and support and waste management services
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 85,794 (4.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.1%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 85,794 (4.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.1%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
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#9. Finance and insurance
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 94,013 (4.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.2%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 94,013 (4.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.2%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
#8. Other services, except public administration
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 96,450 (4.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.3%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 96,450 (4.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.3%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
#7. Construction
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 106,042 (5.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +40.4%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 106,042 (5.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +40.4%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#6. Educational services
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 143,883 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -2.1%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 143,883 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -2.1%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
#5. Professional, scientific, and technical services
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 146,096 (7.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +29.2%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 146,096 (7.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +29.2%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
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#4. Accommodation and food services
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 159,097 (7.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.3%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 159,097 (7.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.3%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#3. Retail trade
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 213,164 (10.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.2%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 213,164 (10.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.2%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#2. Health care and social assistance
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 309,861 (14.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +15.0%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 309,861 (14.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +15.0%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
#1. Manufacturing
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Employed: 400,354 (19.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +33.7%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 400,354 (19.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +33.7%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
