City Town Info

Ann Arbor Employment

Employment and Industries in the Ann Arbor, Michigan Area

The largest employment industries in Ann Arbor Michigan are education, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, automotive and biomedical research. Notable factors of the economy include life sciences, nanotechnologies, computer and data processing, business services, high-speed Internet services and instrument development.

The University of Michigan is the largest employer. The city is also home to research and engineering centers. Ann Arbor is the western anchor of the region's high-technology corridors.

Ann Arbor's software companies provide a notable amount of the computer programming and devices used by the auto industry. The area is also a significant factor in trade and information publishing as well as book printing and manufacturing.

The following is a list of the Ann Arbor region's top employers:

  • University of Michigan
  • University of Michigan Health Centers
  • Visteon
  • General Motors Corp/Powertrain Division
  • St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
  • Pfizer Global Research and Development
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Borders Group
  • Con-Way Freight, Inc
  • Domino's Pizza Inc
  • Affina Group Inc
  • Kaydon Corporation
  • Prestolite Electric Holding, Inc
  • Voyager Learning Company
  • Washentaw County
  • Arbor Networks
  • Arbortext
  • JSTOR
  • MediaSpan
  • ProQuest
  • Arotech

Some of Ann Harbor's most popular jobs which are filled by college graduates are registered nurses, mechanical engineers, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, managers, network and computer systems administrators, computer software engineers, systems software; industrial engineers, computer software engineers, applications; and sales managers.

The major sectors providing jobs for the labor force include:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Professional and business services
  • Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Leisure and hospitality

Some of the helpful business organizations for local companies are:

MLive.com provides Ann Arbor business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Ann Arbor, Michigan Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses6,08067,110$48,700 - 84,64024%56%
2Mechanical engineers1,84079,460$51,730 - 108,6804%78%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education1,43066,640$33,480 - 128,79014%95%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products1,28079,820$29,740 - 127,01012%51%
5Accountants and auditors1,27058,210$35,830 - 84,76018%79%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,26062,060$31,420 - 100,0408%51%
7Computer programmers1,14071,430$39,190 - 105,4300%73%
8Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education73077,800$30,780 - 153,5006%96%
9Computer systems analysts72071,980$47,500 - 97,09029%68%
10Managers, all other700100,310$53,700 - 163,6307%55%
11Network and computer systems administrators69072,160$39,280 - 119,01027%50%
12Computer software engineers, systems software68067,580$35,540 - 106,38028%85%
13Industrial engineers66077,920$53,280 - 104,36020%74%
14Engineers, all other65079,270$41,830 - 115,2606%82%
15Lawyers580114,420$75,570 - 164,63011%99%
16Computer software engineers, applications58076,040$47,850 - 112,94045%85%
17Sales managers58084,270$49,520 - 130,34010%69%
18Management analysts55076,420$48,120 - 116,44022%78%
19Chief executives550161,420$60,560 - 2%65%
20Medical and health services managers55091,080$50,320 - 140,07016%57%
21Financial managers520104,880$55,070 - 13%60%
22Coaches and scouts52044,970$15,640 - 81,50015%60%
23Computer specialists, all other48072,940$33,850 - 113,18015%68%
24Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other47056,770$15,960 - 98,39017%56%
25Public relations specialists47059,410$31,800 - 95,93018%81%
26Self-enrichment education teachers46036,270$23,230 - 56,21023%54%
27Engineering managers460128,750$85,210 - 7%84%
28Computer and information systems managers450103,630$70,830 - 144,55016%73%
29Medical and clinical laboratory technologists44051,990$33,430 - 66,32012%51%
30Pharmacists41095,760$71,270 - 126,78022%97%
31Financial specialists, all other40056,660$29,170 - 91,70012%50%
32Physical therapists40065,400$40,420 - 82,58027%89%
33Graphic designers39047,090$27,210 - 71,70010%55%
34Social and human service assistants37037,290$24,320 - 56,39034%58%
35Electrical engineers36080,160$48,480 - 123,2906%81%
36Market research analysts34056,040$33,560 - 91,53020%82%
37Marketing managers340110,280$64,850 - 14%69%
38Sales and related workers, all other34038,120$15,410 - 60,48014%62%
39Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education32063,850$35,340 - 118,38011%95%
40Training and development specialists310117,720$37,000 - 18%56%
41Physician assistants31088,650$69,810 - 110,01027%67%
42Librarians26070,310$42,410 - 119,3104%85%
43Child, family, and school social workers25053,040$33,870 - 74,57019%77%
44Chemists24059,820$37,060 - 91,6009%93%
45Commercial and industrial designers24077,110$53,060 - 108,9107%55%
46Physical scientists, all other23084,150$48,560 - 127,1206%98%
47Medical and public health social workers23050,340$35,570 - 65,26024%77%
48Occupational therapists22062,620$44,510 - 81,73023%90%
49Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists22091,630$49,990 - 16%99%
50Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents210 $ - 25%67%
51Environmental scientists and specialists, including health21082,840$39,680 - 133,95025%93%
52Educational, vocational, and school counselors20067,430$37,270 - 143,57013%73%
53Community and social service specialists, all other19040,200$24,280 - 59,00025%58%
54Editors17048,280$31,610 - 65,6302%81%
55Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other16085,510$53,630 - 125,04012%94%
56Producers and directors16065,470$27,570 - 150,38011%75%
57Database administrators16075,400$43,460 - 104,22029%72%
58Financial analysts16073,640$40,420 - 120,80034%87%
59Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school16071,630$49,430 - 96,48020%87%
60Technical writers15057,540$41,010 - 82,13020%74%
61Social workers, all other15049,880$35,610 - 71,56018%77%
62Speech-language pathologists15077,310$46,010 - 135,27011%98%
63Social and community service managers14068,610$39,080 - 103,07025%72%
64Architects, except landscape and naval14074,480$51,430 - 104,64018%88%
65Tax preparers14028,450$17,390 - 48,6900%54%
66Education administrators, elementary and secondary school13095,130$50,340 - 130,7908%78%
67Veterinarians13093,210$67,070 - 121,95035%100%
68Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists13063,790$38,880 - 91,69018%56%
69Meeting and convention planners13044,000$29,460 - 64,85020%67%
70Athletes and sports competitors13054,180$26,190 - 94,34019%60%
71Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation12067,260$38,940 - 94,8005%58%
72Human resources managers, all other12094,160$54,660 - 137,00011%58%
73Civil engineers12076,040$47,490 - 104,03018%87%
74Health educators11042,100$27,760 - 62,61026%58%
75Musicians and singers110 $ - 10%53%
76Dietitians and nutritionists11053,160$39,660 - 69,1509%72%
77Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists11051,840$29,380 - 82,07018%56%
78Medical and clinical laboratory technicians11031,980$20,490 - 51,70015%51%
79Interior designers11051,060$31,100 - 80,88020%55%
80Advertising sales agents10060,860$21,580 - 115,53020%56%
81Purchasing managers10093,010$41,950 - 139,7303%57%
82Environmental engineers9096,450$53,520 - 157,85025%86%
83Clergy9044,300$23,240 - 76,41019%75%
84Natural sciences managers90109,020$77,090 - 151,73011%93%
85Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists9058,630$48,200 - 69,97011%58%
86Operations research analysts9092,810$64,010 - 124,28011%71%
87Social scientists and related workers, all other9063,770$30,150 - 111,9705%90%
88Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors9070,110$31,820 - 99,66010%74%
89Electronics engineers, except computer8078,640$55,090 - 115,7404%81%
90Personal financial advisors8078,250$47,040 - 103,56041%81%
91Biochemists and biophysicists8059,240$35,700 - 96,59016%95%
92Education administrators, all other8077,340$37,090 - 115,87013%78%
93Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program7061,240$35,010 - 99,70024%78%
94Recreational therapists7042,610$23,650 - 58,8404%77%
95Detectives and criminal investigators7069,510$55,820 - 86,33017%54%
96Dentists, general70164,440$68,690 - 9%100%
97Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes6029,870$17,950 - 43,26010%59%
98Sales engineers6091,540$54,730 - 133,4409%79%
99Computer hardware engineers6095,540$66,300 - 125,6405%70%
100Occupational health and safety specialists6061,870$41,580 - 90,4308%72%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Office clerks, general6,19027,970$17,100 - 43,15013%19%
2Retail salespersons5,46024,440$15,870 - 37,35012%25%
3Cashiers4,51019,530$15,490 - 24,990-2%10%
4Customer service representatives3,78032,550$20,880 - 45,70025%22%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food3,78018,790$15,670 - 23,91018%5%
6Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners3,10028,240$17,080 - 40,38015%4%
7Waiters and waitresses3,08019,350$15,250 - 28,86011%14%
8Executive secretaries and administrative assistants2,79041,420$29,590 - 53,49015%18%
9Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive2,27034,930$23,140 - 48,4301%18%
10Teacher assistants2,05025,020$16,610 - 36,89010%18%
11Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants2,01028,940$22,390 - 35,84018%7%
12Business operations specialists, all other1,91065,540$38,260 - 100,13021%49%
13Maintenance and repair workers, general1,64038,480$21,640 - 60,23010%6%
14General and operations managers1,600108,050$40,320 - 2%48%
15Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,59037,350$26,650 - 49,78013%16%
16Stock clerks and order fillers1,58027,020$16,840 - 42,190-7%8%
17Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,40026,380$15,890 - 45,1202%5%
18Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,40024,410$17,090 - 36,90018%6%
19Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,35037,340$26,200 - 50,95010%4%
20Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers1,300 -6%14%
21First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,29040,650$22,610 - 62,9404%25%
22Recreation workers1,20022,230$15,540 - 31,56013%47%
23Computer support specialists1,17041,630$20,040 - 64,25013%43%
24First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,16048,820$29,510 - 71,0706%29%
25Receptionists and information clerks1,12028,240$16,260 - 45,57017%13%
26Home health aides1,08024,610$17,970 - 31,50049%7%
27Medical assistants1,04030,350$23,290 - 38,85035%10%
28Food preparation workers1,01022,000$16,260 - 29,95015%7%
29Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,00035,050$17,370 - 60,5308%4%
30Maids and housekeeping cleaners99021,420$15,450 - 30,41013%5%
31Child care workers95023,170$16,390 - 31,10018%15%
32Construction laborers91041,260$28,220 - 56,06011%5%
33First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers91032,220$18,580 - 46,50011%14%
34Personal and home care aides87023,570$18,570 - 30,52051%10%
35Electricians86068,320$42,800 - 86,3307%7%
36First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers84064,310$37,260 - 94,680-4%15%
37Cooks, restaurant80023,910$16,510 - 33,66012%5%
38Automotive service technicians and mechanics73050,010$25,060 - 75,62014%4%
39Administrative services managers72079,100$47,300 - 119,96012%40%
40Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses71045,820$36,430 - 54,52014%7%
41Billing and posting clerks and machine operators71035,820$26,870 - 47,9804%15%
42Carpenters70054,700$30,990 - 79,48010%6%
43Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop69016,350$15,020 - 19,04010%8%
44Sales representatives, services, all other68075,680$24,430 - 165,54028%48%
45Production workers, all other66042,460$18,020 - 76,8202%5%
46Dishwashers65018,650$15,750 - 23,33010%3%
47Cooks, fast food63017,520$15,200 - 21,1808%5%
48Police and sheriff's patrol officers62061,040$45,120 - 79,61011%33%
49Pharmacy technicians60030,880$22,200 - 40,90032%16%
50Assemblers and fabricators, all other58037,420$19,520 - 62,350-8%5%
51Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters55065,450$44,480 - 84,38011%4%
52Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers52019,010$15,230 - 28,53012%6%
53Tellers51024,810$19,940 - 31,29014%16%
54Printing machine operators50036,280$24,730 - 48,740-5%6%
55Packers and packagers, hand50021,620$15,310 - 30,630-11%3%
56Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks49032,410$20,820 - 49,2104%6%
57Dental assistants48036,780$25,740 - 48,69029%9%
58Tool and die makers48063,970$44,270 - 81,630-9%5%
59Logisticians47058,560$37,870 - 83,93017%43%
60Business teachers, postsecondary470122,630$51,190 - 0%0%
61Postal service mail carriers460 1%11%
62Bartenders45019,400$15,510 - 26,23011%17%
63Radiologic technologists and technicians45051,570$37,470 - 65,61015%25%
64First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers44063,320$37,320 - 88,4307%13%
65Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic43037,450$22,410 - 61,930-14%0%
66Physicians and surgeons, all other420181,280$118,210 - 0%0%
67Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop42018,750$15,590 - 23,77010%17%
68Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other42053,600$32,190 - 78,4002%18%
69Medical records and health information technicians42038,600$24,810 - 58,35018%12%
70Cooks, short order41021,240$15,600 - 30,1005%5%
71Security guards41026,380$16,660 - 39,75017%13%
72Medical secretaries39032,780$25,400 - 40,83017%18%
73Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products39057,850$35,800 - 82,8600%42%
74Counter and rental clerks38019,800$15,220 - 29,53023%16%
75Bus drivers, school38035,940$26,560 - 41,6709%4%
76Bakers37022,380$16,710 - 31,38010%8%
77Cooks, institution and cafeteria37027,700$18,370 - 36,75011%5%
78Cleaners of vehicles and equipment36028,570$15,790 - 61,43014%3%
79Dental hygienists36063,030$52,910 - 80,27030%33%
80First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers36077,250$39,090 - 139,6604%38%
81Helpers--production workers35025,870$19,180 - 31,4600%4%
82First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers35038,450$22,530 - 61,15013%11%
83Postsecondary teachers, all other350 0%0%
84Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists34025,650$15,340 - 48,52012%3%
85Preschool teachers, except special education34028,000$16,870 - 38,99026%43%
86First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers34065,320$45,290 - 86,9809%10%
87Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists34030,380$15,810 - 54,10012%6%
88English language and literature teachers, postsecondary330 0%0%
89Bill and account collectors33035,030$24,000 - 49,34023%13%
90Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic33035,820$18,140 - 62,510-12%0%
91Painters, construction and maintenance32049,890$28,550 - 79,38012%6%
92Industrial production managers320120,530$65,440 - -5%43%
93Industrial truck and tractor operators32046,790$23,380 - 64,810-1%2%
94Office and administrative support workers, all other31035,400$21,070 - 61,730-8%32%
95Electromechanical equipment assemblers29056,980$44,560 - 65,550-8%6%
96Healthcare support workers, all other28037,500$22,430 - 52,78016%10%
97Food servers, nonrestaurant28023,790$17,800 - 30,78016%9%
98Family and general practitioners280175,000$89,510 - 0%0%
99Data entry keyers27027,000$18,420 - 38,310-4%18%
100Production, planning, and expediting clerks27043,840$28,020 - 64,6604%30%
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University of Phoenix
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  • Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Liberal Arts, Media, Medical Administration, Medicine, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
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Jobs More Common Near Ann Arbor Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary67,16013039.3
Athletes and sports competitors54,18013017
Physical scientists, all other84,15023013.5
Business teachers, postsecondary122,6304707
Mechanical engineers79,4601,8406.8
Commercial and industrial designers77,1102406.7
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health43,3802206.5
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary 3305.8
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other53,6004205.7
Tool and die makers63,9704805.4
Engine and other machine assemblers43,3701005.4
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other85,5101605.3
Electromechanical equipment assemblers56,9802905.2
Interpreters and translators61,2201503.9
Logisticians58,5604703.8
Physician assistants88,6503103.8
Recreation workers22,2301,2003.7
Millwrights73,2101303.7
Bindery workers27,7602403.6
Engineers, all other79,2706503.4
Chemical technicians34,1402203
Musicians and singers 1102.8
Industrial engineers77,9206602.7
Legal support workers, all other46,2501102.7
Coaches and scouts44,9705202.7
Technical writers57,5401502.6
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,2802202.6
Industrial engineering technicians49,0201902.6
Family and general practitioners175,0002802.5
Production workers, all other42,4606602.5
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers 1,3002.5
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products79,8201,2802.4
Chemists59,8202402.4
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic35,8203302.4
Tax preparers28,4501402.4
Self-enrichment education teachers36,2704602.4
Diagnostic medical sonographers59,1601302.4
Medical equipment preparers32,8601102.3
Administrative services managers79,1007202.3
Financial specialists, all other56,6604002.3
Prepress technicians and workers32,4301602.3
Cooks, short order21,2404102.3
Bakers22,3803702.3
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists51,9904402.2
Veterinarians93,2101302.2
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health82,8402102.2
Meeting and convention planners44,0001302.2
Printing machine operators36,2805002.2
Computer programmers71,4301,1402.2
Medical records and health information technicians38,6004202.1

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Ann Arbor, Michigan Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Training and development specialists117,7202.34310
Electromechanical equipment assemblers56,9801.81290
Business teachers, postsecondary122,6301.67470
Industrial truck and tractor operators46,7901.56320
Sheet metal workers64,7701.55110
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education77,8001.52730
Interpreters and translators61,2201.51150
Production workers, all other42,4601.47660
Millwrights73,2101.46130
Sales representatives, services, all other75,6801.46680
Electricians68,3201.46860
Painters, construction and maintenance49,8901.45320
Insurance sales agents81,4801.45140
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school71,6301.43160
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters65,4501.42550
Assemblers and fabricators, all other37,4201.41580
Tool and die makers63,9701.41480
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators72,8401.4150
Carpenters54,7001.4700
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers57,1201.39190
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers58,4001.38110
Automotive service technicians and mechanics50,0101.38730
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists91,6301.38220
Bus drivers, school35,9401.37380
Industrial production managers120,5301.37320
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health82,8401.36210
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment28,5701.36360
Court, municipal, and license clerks44,9401.36200
Paralegals and legal assistants57,5901.34210
Medical transcriptionists43,1401.34130
Librarians70,3101.34260
Roofers47,1901.34120
Elementary school teachers, except special education66,6401.341,430
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation67,2601.33120
Commercial and industrial designers77,1101.33240
Industrial machinery mechanics59,1201.33260
Construction laborers41,2601.33910
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan37,6201.33160
Social and human service assistants37,2901.31370
Educational, vocational, and school counselors67,4301.31200
Child, family, and school social workers53,0401.31250
Automotive body and related repairers50,7401.29210
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic37,4501.29430
Healthcare support workers, all other37,5001.29280
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education63,8501.27320
Coaches and scouts44,9701.26520
Police and sheriff's patrol officers61,0401.26620
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers43,2701.25130
Construction managers103,9301.23110
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners28,2401.233,100

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