Woodward Avenue runs through Midtown, a Detroit neighborhood that is reviving in the midst of the larger city's decline. In the background is downtown Detroit.

Occupations in Michigan

When it comes to a varied job market, nowhere beats the Detroit Metro area. With industry giants in multiple categories—finance, tech, automotive, aerospace, et cetera—calling the city home, there isn’t a job market untouched by the city’s pull.

Detroit has seen an ever-growing corporate population in the last five years, with many new businesses setting up or expanding roots in the Motor City. This continued influx of companies has been paired with large-scale investments which has, in turn, created more job availability in the job market state-wide.

Currently, Michigan boasts a total employment of 4,073,730.

A recent study posted on USAWage.com took a good look at the Michigan job market, breaking it down by job categories. This study gives us an inside look on the most popular jobs in the state and the average salary that goes with them.

Retail Salesperson

The number one ranked job in the state is currently held by retail salesperson, with a total occupancy of 141,610 people holding that job title. While not the highest paying job in the market, retail salesperson takes the title of number one strictly due to sheer numbers.

The current average salary for this job title is $20,470.

Office Clerks

With 114,870 people operating under this job title, office clerk takes the secondary position in the job population list. The average hourly rate for this position is approximately $15.17 with the lowest hourly range being $9.30.

The current average salary for this job title is $28,930.

Team Assembler

No surprise here, but the third highest ranked job in the state is team assembler with 101,800 employees holding this job title.

The average median salary is showing at $30,670 a year.

Food Prep

This category is a combined field—showing the total of food prep workers, food service workers, and fast food employees. The field currently boasts 98,220 total employees.

This job field holds the lowest annual salary of the top five, however, coming in at $18,110 a year.

Cashiers

Not to be confused with retail salespersons, cashiers are the fourth most popular job category in Michigan. The job title currently has 93,900 employees and the second lowest annual salary in the top five job categories, coming in at $19,010 a year.

Honorable Mentions

While the top five jobs in Michigan are clear, there are some honorable mentions that came very close in numbers. Registered Nurses came in with 90,340 total employees and an average annual salary of $65,460. Customer Service Representatives have 82,540 total employees and an annual salary of $30,050.

Of course, you can’t get a clear picture of the Michigan job market without looking at the least popular jobs, too. Currently ranking as the least popular job in the state is Eligibility Interviewers for Government Programs with only 4,160 employees and an average income of $45,130. Second runner up to the least popular job in Michigan is Order Clerks with 4,170 workers and an average income of $33,660.

No matter the industry you’re looking to work in, Michigan is likely to have the right fit for you.