Michigan Teen Unemployment Hits 18% as 250,000 Seek Scarce Summer Jobs
Updated
Updated · 9 & 10 News · Jun 12
Michigan Teen Unemployment Hits 18% as 250,000 Seek Scarce Summer Jobs
1 articles · Updated · 9 & 10 News · Jun 12
Summary
More than 250,000 Michigan teenagers are looking for summer work, but only 207,000 have jobs, pushing the state's teen unemployment rate to 18%.
The state is urging employers to hire more teens as the Bureau of Labor says the rate is at an all-time high, up from about 13% in both 2023 and 2024.
Northern Michigan's tourism season is still opening part-time positions for high school students, and some local business owners say many employers are hiring.
For teens, the jobs offer more than paychecks: students interviewed said they want experience, flexible schedules and savings for college, while employers described visible gains in confidence and work skills.