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West Michigan’s Workforce

West Michigan's Workforce

More than nearly any other factor, companies choose locations because of the available workforce. West Michigan has a regional workforce that is highly motivated, creative, and excels in technical and academic skills. With more than half of our 1.3 million residents under the age of 35, area employers can draw from a large pool of young, technically savvy, energetic workers. What’s not to love?

West Michigan offers:

  • Over 565,000 individuals between the ages of 21 and 50
  • The third-highest concentration of automotive and mechanical engineers in the world
  • One of the top regions globally for employment in biotech and chemicals
  • More than 85,000 health care and social services professionals
  • More than 114,000 advanced manufacturing technicians and professionals


Jobs by Industry - Grand Rapids/Holland/Muskegon CSA*

(Complete salary information by MSA and Occupation available in "Wages" download file)
Industry 2011 Regional Jobs   Percent of Regional Jobs
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 127,688 17.9%
Manufacturing 108,937 15.3%
Educational and Health Services 106,564 14.9%
Professional and Business Services 98,950 13.9%
Government 58,766 8.2%
Leisure and Hospitality 58,016 8.1%
Financial Activities 58,007 8.1%
Construction 36,235 5.1%
Other Services 35,712 5.0%
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Mining 17,137 2.4%
Information 7,753 1.1%
*Grand Rapids Combined Statistical Area (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties)
Source: EMSI Complete Employment


Wage and Salary by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

(Complete salary information by MSA and Occupation available in "Wages" download file)
Metropolitan Statistical Area Hourly Mean     Annual Mean   Hourly 10th   Hourly 25th
Grand Rapids-Wyoming  15.89  33,050   8.50  10.84 
Holland-Grand Haven  15.40  32,030  8.49  10.77
Muskegon-Norton Shores  14.53  30,220  8.23  9.78
Estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment Statistics. 


Educational Attainment

 Educational Attainment Regional Population  % Regional Population 
High school graduate     273,178 31.7%
Some college or associate degree   274,583 31.9%
Bachelor's degree  144,408 16.8%
Graduate or professional degree  69,095 8.0%
Source: Claritas


Workforce Profile by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Labor Force  
Employed  
Unemployed  
Unemployment Rate   
Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA    
August 2011    388,600 355,300 33,200 8.6
September 2011 384,500 354,000 30,500 7.9
October 2011 392,800 356,900 35,900 9.1
Holland-Grand Haven MSA
August 2011    128,700 117,900 10,900 8.4
September 2011    127,800 117,900 9,900 7.8
October 2011 127,300 118,400 8,800 7.0
Muskegon-Norton Shores MSA
August 2011    83,100 74,300 8,800 10.6
September 2011    81,600 73,500 8,200 10
October 2011 80,900 73,600 7,300 9.0
State of Michigan
August 2011    4,743,000 4,222,000 521,000 11.0
September 2011    4,691,000 4,218,000 474,000 10.1
October 2011 4,657,000 4,230,000 427,000 9.2
By place of residence. Not seasonally adjusted. Rates calculated with unrounded data. *Preliminary
Source: Michigan Department of Energy Labor, & Economic Growth; Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.


Union Membership


 Grand Rapids CSA*
Union Membership for Private Employment              9.1% 
*Grand Rapids Combined Statistical Area (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties)
Source: Current Population Survey (CPS) Outgoing Rotation Group (ORG) Earnings Files, 2010
@ 2011 by Barry T. Hirsch and David A. Macpherson


Please contact us or a member of The Right Place business development team to receive other regional information specific to your business location or expansion