City Town Info

Jackson Employment

Employment and Industries in the Jackson, Michigan Area

Jackson's leading employment segments are trade, transportation and utilities; the government, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and leisure and hospitality. About 23% of the labor force is comprised of production, transportation and material moving workers. Approximately 21% of the workforce is found in management, professional and related occupations. The city also has numerous plastics workers and metal and metal products workers.

Notable industries in the region include imaging and optics, telecommunications, high-technology, medical manufacturing, and printing and publishing. In addition, research is done by companies as well as medical facilities and educational institutions in fields such as digital imaging, fuel cells, biotech and health imaging.

The significant employers in the Jackson region are provided below:

  • CMS Energy Corporation - Energy provider
  • Allegiance Health - Healthcare
  • Foote Health System - Healthcare/hospice
  • Michigan Department of Corrections - Correctional institutions
  • Consumers Energy - Utilities
  • Michigan Automotive Compressor - Automotive parts
  • City of Jackson - Government
  • Meijer, Inc - Department store
  • Jackson Public Schools - Education
  • Eaton Corp - Aircraft parts and equipment
  • Walmart - Department store
  • TAC Manufacturing - Steering wheel assemblies
  • Jackson Community College - Education
  • Jackson County Intermediate School Dist - Education
  • Michigan Seat Co/Jackson Canvas - Seats (Agri./ind.)
  • TRW Inc - Disc Brakes
  • Great Lakes Home Health & Hospice - Home Health/Hospice
  • Mac Steel Div. of Quanex - Alloy steel
  • Melling Tool Company - Tools
  • CertainTeed Corp/Wolverine Vinyl Siding - Vynl siding
  • Alro Steel Corp - Steel Service Center
  • Dawn Food Products - Flour mixes/equipment

The following is a list of high-tech employers located in the Jackson Michigan region:

  • US Com Inc - Telecommunications
  • Sparton - Electronic manufacturing
  • Eagle Communications - Satellite Antenna Systems
  • Tenneco Automotive - Engineering and research
  • McGilvra Engineering Inc - Electronics
  • Commonwealth Associates, Inc - Electrical Engineering

Some of the most popular jobs in Jackson filled by college graduates are teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, electrical engineers, coaches and scouts, mechanical engineers; child, family and school social workers; financial managers, network and computer systems administrators; and medical and health services managers.

Pertinent information about Jackson, Michigan: In 2007 the estimated median household income was $31,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was at 79.2 which is lower than the nation's average of 100. About 14% of the adult population has a bachelor's degree or higher.

Local companies have opportunities to team up with helpful organizations such as:

Those interested in staying current with Jackson Michigan business activities may want to read the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Most Popular Jobs in Jackson, 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
1Elementary school teachers, except special education78049,570$32,460 - 67,39014%95%
2Teachers and instructors, all other65047,980$19,620 - 68,1709%54%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products54058,310$32,110 - 93,0808%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education45045,220$33,400 - 65,4706%96%
5Electrical engineers31072,030$38,310 - 103,1806%81%
6Accountants and auditors30075,370$37,750 - 126,53018%79%
7Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education23052,610$36,550 - 66,64011%95%
8Engineering managers220114,440$85,090 - 158,7107%84%
9Coaches and scouts19042,530$15,430 - 65,98015%60%
10Mechanical engineers19066,520$40,790 - 102,0304%78%
11Child, family, and school social workers19044,320$33,830 - 58,66019%77%
12Managers, all other15095,770$57,600 - 138,2307%55%
13Financial managers14075,200$32,610 - 124,32013%60%
14Network and computer systems administrators14057,870$37,230 - 81,89027%50%
15Chief executives140124,440$62,560 - 2%65%
16Medical and health services managers13075,340$31,210 - 100,23016%57%
17Lawyers12087,380$49,980 - 146,76011%99%
18Computer systems analysts12070,740$45,530 - 99,37029%68%
19Sales managers12086,350$33,110 - 10%69%
20Education administrators, elementary and secondary school11075,480$54,310 - 97,1808%78%
21Pharmacists110102,470$86,280 - 127,65022%97%
22Computer software engineers, applications11072,480$53,440 - 99,39045%85%
23Industrial engineers11064,560$42,810 - 92,02020%74%
24Sales and related workers, all other11027,470$15,770 - 49,40014%62%
25Educational, vocational, and school counselors11045,030$29,970 - 63,53013%73%
26Financial specialists, all other10047,540$34,120 - 63,30012%50%
27Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists10055,010$43,820 - 65,25011%58%
28Mental health and substance abuse social workers100 $ - 30%77%
29Social and community service managers8060,320$38,020 - 80,89025%72%
30Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other8050,260$15,620 - 100,10017%56%
31Librarians8045,990$31,320 - 68,9704%85%
32Management analysts8091,330$49,380 - 113,41022%78%
33Medical and public health social workers8046,530$32,900 - 66,08024%77%
34Computer and information systems managers70100,950$64,000 - 134,80016%73%
35Training and development specialists7059,930$27,370 - 85,72018%56%
36Civil engineers7077,330$55,890 - 104,28018%87%
37Special education teachers, middle school6047,320$35,870 - 61,75016%87%
38Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school6055,630$37,430 - 79,97020%87%
39Vocational education teachers, secondary school5046,290$34,620 - 61,9300%96%
40Health educators5054,250$41,900 - 71,85026%58%
41Network systems and data communications analysts5065,660$37,820 - 102,72053%57%
42Special education teachers, secondary school5044,930$34,120 - 63,2209%87%
43Education, training, and library workers, all other5038,750$28,270 - 56,98011%79%
44Dentists, general50171,180$81,340 - 9%100%
45Computer specialists, all other5055,630$23,460 - 84,42015%68%
46Environmental engineers4084,260$66,950 - 114,46025%86%
47Engineers, all other4078,190$54,410 - 106,6806%82%
48Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation4037,330$26,450 - 55,6105%58%
49Community and social service specialists, all other4026,390$15,850 - 56,65025%58%
50Occupational health and safety specialists4074,930$50,800 - 101,8508%72%
51Dietitians and nutritionists4050,110$32,830 - 63,7509%72%
52Physical therapists40 $ - 27%89%
53Marketing managers4084,860$36,600 - 135,60014%69%
54Advertising sales agents4039,120$15,840 - 54,48020%56%
55Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4059,300$30,610 - 98,47018%56%
56Self-enrichment education teachers4034,210$25,900 - 42,94023%54%
57Public relations specialists4041,630$22,900 - 75,69018%81%
58Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents30 $ - 25%67%
59Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program30 $ - 24%78%
60Legislators3036,790$15,060 - 78,3601%65%
61Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3059,520$40,380 - 93,86018%56%
62Purchasing managers3071,810$36,490 - 129,4003%57%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,30024,980$15,600 - 37,21012%25%
2Office clerks, general1,69028,000$17,260 - 40,71013%19%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,46018,010$15,360 - 23,15018%5%
4Cashiers1,42018,720$15,290 - 25,750-2%10%
5Team assemblers1,08024,500$16,830 - 37,3700%5%
6Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants94026,190$19,230 - 31,91018%7%
7Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive87031,960$22,530 - 44,6201%18%
8Waiters and waitresses78016,770$15,190 - 19,81011%14%
9Stock clerks and order fillers76025,940$15,880 - 42,600-7%8%
10Machinists76035,030$18,330 - 49,510-2%3%
11Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners73027,320$17,420 - 39,10015%4%
12Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer69035,640$23,520 - 48,63010%4%
13Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks68031,410$20,960 - 46,24013%16%
14Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand63021,220$16,230 - 27,4802%5%
15Food preparation workers59019,540$15,840 - 26,68015%7%
16General and operations managers59089,440$40,290 - 139,3802%48%
17Teacher assistants57022,220$15,820 - 30,36010%18%
18First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers56037,500$22,480 - 56,6104%25%
19Customer service representatives56030,710$18,040 - 46,46025%22%
20Business operations specialists, all other52066,170$41,480 - 94,04021%49%
21First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers48053,340$31,140 - 82,230-4%15%
22Personal and home care aides47018,440$16,060 - 22,06051%10%
23Executive secretaries and administrative assistants42040,760$28,290 - 52,94015%18%
24Packers and packagers, hand41019,940$15,350 - 29,590-11%3%
25Maintenance and repair workers, general40037,550$18,820 - 58,13010%6%
26Truck drivers, light or delivery services38028,780$15,870 - 49,0908%4%
27Receptionists and information clerks37027,460$19,580 - 37,13017%13%
28Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses36041,820$34,400 - 50,22014%7%
29Cooks, fast food36017,500$15,410 - 20,7908%5%
30Billing and posting clerks and machine operators36028,810$22,370 - 37,3504%15%
31First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers35046,400$27,380 - 64,1006%29%
32Landscaping and groundskeeping workers34021,130$16,060 - 25,67018%6%
33Construction laborers33037,940$25,200 - 52,34011%5%
34Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers33036,510$19,550 - 60,920-6%14%
35Automotive service technicians and mechanics32043,230$26,790 - 60,62014%4%
36Medical assistants31030,180$22,410 - 39,07035%10%
37First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers31032,400$20,990 - 48,50011%14%
38Cooks, restaurant28023,110$16,540 - 34,26012%5%
39Child care workers28019,710$15,390 - 28,39018%15%
40Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks27030,340$21,510 - 39,6804%6%
41Tellers26023,310$17,240 - 30,16014%16%
42Dishwashers26018,590$15,590 - 21,76010%3%
43Tool and die makers25047,100$29,730 - 68,480-9%5%
44Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic24033,010$23,160 - 42,190-2%6%
45Production workers, all other23035,200$20,740 - 56,6502%5%
46Electrical and electronic engineering technicians22057,270$40,930 - 77,3604%18%
47Pharmacy technicians22027,680$19,780 - 38,85032%16%
48Helpers--production workers21026,110$19,720 - 34,9800%4%
49Maids and housekeeping cleaners21022,030$16,000 - 31,06013%5%
50Cooks, institution and cafeteria20027,200$21,650 - 32,17011%5%
51Industrial truck and tractor operators20032,890$20,440 - 57,430-1%2%
52Electricians19057,350$23,450 - 87,4907%7%
53Driver/sales workers19028,710$15,570 - 60,130-4%4%
54First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers19059,340$35,320 - 89,5607%13%
55Postal service mail carriers190 1%11%
56Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic18030,280$20,800 - 45,640-14%0%
57Industrial machinery mechanics18048,060$29,810 - 67,4009%5%
58Laundry and dry-cleaning workers17020,190$15,180 - 27,58010%5%
59Food servers, nonrestaurant17022,920$16,820 - 29,41016%9%
60Police and sheriff's patrol officers17046,790$31,420 - 61,69011%33%
61Bartenders16016,640$15,170 - 20,54011%17%
62Counter and rental clerks16021,700$15,250 - 32,64023%16%
63Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors16022,310$15,560 - 34,53027%47%
64Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other15038,260$23,090 - 58,6408%9%
65Bus drivers, school15031,550$21,850 - 41,0009%4%
66Assemblers and fabricators, all other15028,160$15,940 - 40,130-8%5%
67Cleaners of vehicles and equipment14020,470$15,490 - 27,26014%3%
68First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers14059,400$41,440 - 80,1309%10%
69Library technicians14024,990$17,260 - 31,7909%27%
70Home health aides14019,670$16,080 - 25,55049%7%
71Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic14032,400$21,320 - 47,160-22%0%
72Industrial production managers13086,910$48,350 - 130,990-5%43%
73First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers13058,350$52,720 - 64,73013%25%
74Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop13017,910$15,300 - 22,93010%17%
75Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers13019,850$15,500 - 28,92012%6%
76Dental hygienists13052,440$34,360 - 74,95030%33%
77Recreation workers13019,340$15,300 - 26,90013%47%
78Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic12023,530$16,950 - 34,2100%3%
79Preschool teachers, except special education12028,800$17,250 - 50,26026%43%
80Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters12056,710$36,240 - 77,50011%4%
81Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers12034,740$22,750 - 58,6005%2%
82Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists12023,730$15,450 - 33,39012%6%
83Dental laboratory technicians11045,190$34,980 - 62,0504%12%
84Refuse and recyclable material collectors11024,720$21,210 - 31,3507%3%
85Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic11034,650$21,550 - 57,680-15%0%
86Cost estimators10057,830$40,310 - 76,77019%32%
87Bill and account collectors10033,110$24,900 - 48,04023%13%
88Office and administrative support workers, all other10041,670$24,840 - 50,650-8%32%
89Payroll and timekeeping clerks10030,310$16,000 - 41,5803%18%
90Insurance sales agents10068,470$34,050 - 150,24013%45%
91Court, municipal, and license clerks10034,000$25,430 - 47,3609%24%
92Carpenters10043,530$34,250 - 59,22010%6%
93Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators10044,390$35,240 - 53,6008%3%
94Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products10056,860$39,220 - 87,0100%42%
95Dental assistants9031,220$21,640 - 41,52029%9%
96Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers9046,530$28,220 - 64,1709%3%
97Computer support specialists9037,160$21,450 - 49,41013%43%
98Production, planning, and expediting clerks9040,330$19,560 - 62,6404%30%
99Sales representatives, services, all other80 28%48%
100Food service managers8046,770$25,590 - 78,9505%24%
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Jobs More Common Near Jackson Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers58,35013022.7
Tool and die makers47,1002509.8
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32,4001409.2
Dental laboratory technicians45,1901109.1
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists55,0101006.4
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic33,0102405.9
Machinists35,0307605.8
Electrical engineers72,0303105.7
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic23,5301205.1
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic34,6501104.2
Library technicians24,9901404
Teachers and instructors, all other47,9806503.9
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians57,2702203.8
Engineering managers114,4402203.4
Coaches and scouts42,5301903.4
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other38,2601503.3
Court, municipal, and license clerks34,0001003.3
Team assemblers24,5001,0803.2
Production workers, all other35,2002303.1
Personal and home care aides18,4404703
Refuse and recyclable material collectors24,7201103
Food servers, nonrestaurant22,9201702.7
Industrial production managers86,9101302.6
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic30,2801802.5
Mental health and substance abuse social workers 1002.5
Mechanical engineers66,5201902.5
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers20,1901702.3
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers53,3404802.3
Sales and related workers, all other27,4701102.2
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers36,5103302.2
Dental hygienists52,4401302.2
Child, family, and school social workers44,3201902.1
Industrial machinery mechanics48,0601802.1
Financial specialists, all other47,5401002
Cooks, fast food17,5003602
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants26,1909402
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators28,8103602
Food preparation workers19,5405902
Pharmacy technicians27,6802202
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors22,3101602
Medical assistants30,1803101.8
Cooks, institution and cafeteria27,2002001.8
Assemblers and fabricators, all other28,1601501.8
Office clerks, general28,0001,6901.7
Elementary school teachers, except special education49,5707801.7
Packers and packagers, hand19,9404101.6
Postal service mail carriers 1901.6
Industrial engineers64,5601101.6
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school75,4801101.6
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food18,0101,4601.6

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Teachers and instructors, all other47,9801.26650
Accountants and auditors75,3701.26300
Dental laboratory technicians45,1901.24110
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters56,7101.23120
Electricians57,3501.22190
Construction laborers37,9401.22330
Production workers, all other35,2001.21230
Bus drivers, school31,5501.21150
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners27,3201.19730
Automotive service technicians and mechanics43,2301.19320
Coaches and scouts42,5301.19190
Managers, all other95,7701.16150
Cooks, institution and cafeteria27,2001.15200
Maids and housekeeping cleaners22,0301.15210
Receptionists and information clerks27,4601.15370
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19,8501.14130
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic34,6501.14110
Food servers, nonrestaurant22,9201.14170
Stock clerks and order fillers25,9401.14760
Preschool teachers, except special education28,8001.13120
Business operations specialists, all other66,1701.12520
Helpers--production workers26,1101.1210
Office clerks, general28,0001.11,690
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians57,2701.1220
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive31,9601.1870
Driver/sales workers28,7101.1190
Industrial truck and tractor operators32,8901.09200
Maintenance and repair workers, general37,5501.09400
Child, family, and school social workers44,3201.09190
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants26,1901.09940
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers36,5101.09330
Industrial machinery mechanics48,0601.08180
Dishwashers18,5901.08260
Medical assistants30,1801.07310
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32,4001.07310
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,3401.06270
Cooks, restaurant23,1101.06280
Assemblers and fabricators, all other28,1601.06150
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other38,2601.06150
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses41,8201.06360
First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers58,3501.05130
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants40,7601.05420
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food18,0101.051,460
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education52,6101.05230
Engineering managers114,4401.04220
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers59,3401.04190
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic30,2801.04180
Tool and die makers47,1001.04250
Customer service representatives30,7101.03560
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products58,3101.03540

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