Detroit Employment

Employment and Industries in the Detroit, Michigan Area

The Detroit area is synonymous with the American automotive industry and is home to the big thee automobile makers General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company,and DaimlerChrysler. Volkswagen of America is also based in the area. Other major industry segments in the Detroit area include:

  • City and local government
  • Financial services
  • Healthcare
  • Research and development
  • Transportation
  • Casino gaming

Emerging industries include:

  • Biotechnology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Information technology
  • Cognotechnology
  • Hydrogen fuel cell development

The Detroit area is home to many Fortune 1000 companies. The largest company in the area is General Motors.Fortune 1000 companies in the Detroit metropolitan area include:

  • American Axle & Mfg.
  • Comerica
  • DTE Energy
  • Ford Motor
  • General Motors
  • TRW Automotive Holdings

Other companies with headquarters or a significant presence in the Detroit area include:

  • Compuware
  • Electronic Data Systems
  • Ernst & Young
  • Little Caesars
  • Visteon

Business awards given to the Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn metropolitan area include:

  • The Detroit area was ranked 29th among the top fifty "Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs" among large cities and metropolitan areas in the United States in a 2005 Entrepreneur magazine survey.
  • The Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn metropolitan area ranked 59th among top U.S. Cities on Inc. magazine's 2006 survey of the "Best Cities for Doing Business" (out of 393 metropolitan areas across the United States).
  • The Detroit area was ranked a "Five Star Business Opportunity Metro" by Expansion Management magazine in a 2005 survey.

For the business commuter, the Detroit area is served by by no fewer than nine highways and freeways, bus services by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) for service to the suburbs. For air travel, the Detroit area is served by the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTE). DTE is the eleventh busiest airport in the United States measured by passenger volume. It is also a hub for Northwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Business/economic development organizations in the greater Detroit area include:

Crain's Detroit Business, the "Business Section" of the Detroit Free Press, and the "Business Section" of the Detroit News are all good sources for news on the economy and business community in the Detroit area.

Jobs in Detroit

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations1980730$54,940$26.41100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations244970$41,170$19.813.75
3Production Occupations200890$43,160$20.755.6
4Sales and Related Occupations190810$45,290$21.779.5
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations172530$25,830$12.428.7
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations159270$40,440$19.446.7
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations124070$82,460$39.655.85
8Business and Financial Operations Occupations120770$77,700$37.365.35
9Management Occupations102140$124,850$60.036.35
10Architecture and Engineering Occupations90570$90,000$43.271.7
11Educational Instruction and Library Occupations81060$59,350$28.536
12Healthcare Support Occupations80220$30,790$14.812.85
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations73710$50,720$24.383.75
14Computer and Mathematical Occupations69780$84,890$40.813
15Construction and Extraction Occupations62500$57,710$27.744.6
16Retail Salespersons62400$30,700$14.762.7
17Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators54630$41,600$200.8
18Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations53580$29,570$14.223.6
19Fast Food and Counter Workers50710$22,920$11.022.45
20Customer Service Representatives43980$39,530$191.75
21Personal Care and Service Occupations42590$29,620$14.244.65
22Registered Nurses41400$75,810$36.451.95
23Office Clerks, General40950$37,000$17.791.9
24Cashiers39180$24,460$11.762.2
25Waiters and Waitresses37450$24,950$11.991.65
26Protective Service Occupations34780$45,850$22.042.2
27Home Health and Personal Care Aides31980$25,940$12.470
28Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand31950$32,800$15.771.8
29Mechanical Engineers30840$97,260$46.760.2
30General and Operations Managers29910$132,310$63.611.5
31Stockers and Order Fillers28860$29,740$14.31.25
32Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers27890$95,170$45.750.65
33Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers27490$43,030$20.691.2
34Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners26900$27,510$13.231.5
35Community and Social Service Occupations24670$49,230$23.671.75
36Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations24270$58,260$28.011.8
37Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products22580$78,020$37.510.85
38Nursing Assistants20810$31,520$15.150.95
39Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive19830$39,950$19.211.4
40Industrial Engineers19680$94,420$45.390.2
41Cooks, Restaurant18830$27,050$13.010.9
42Accountants and Auditors18650$80,550$38.730.9
43Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other18520$78,540$37.760.7
44Maintenance and Repair Workers, General17120$40,140$19.30.9
45Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks16600$40,830$19.631.05
46Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel16310$65,970$31.710.7
47Legal Occupations16200$94,970$45.660.8
48Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers15740$38,200$18.360.35
49First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers15610$60,360$29.020.95
50First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers14610$45,910$22.070.95
51First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers14160$37,840$18.190.6
52Receptionists and Information Clerks13930$31,420$15.10.7
53First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers13450$70,930$34.10.4
54Security Guards13280$29,230$14.050.7
55Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers12000$31,110$14.950.75
56Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants11820$36,830$17.710.4
57Construction Laborers11490$42,660$20.510.9
58Light Truck Drivers11470$38,530$18.520.6
59Machinists11400$45,430$21.840.2
60Medical Assistants11360$34,420$16.550.45
61Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks11320$37,370$17.970.4
62Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists10800$72,780$34.990.45
63Electricians10790$69,360$33.350.45
64Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations10540$68,420$32.90.8
65Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic10500$44,620$21.450.1
66Computer Systems Analysts10220$89,310$42.940.4
67Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners10050$26,120$12.560.9
68Industrial Machinery Mechanics9860$53,970$25.950.2
69Engineers, All Other9530$94,600$45.480.1
70Lawyers9430$121,650$58.480.5
71Computer User Support Specialists9240$48,910$23.510.4
72Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic9100$30,360$14.60.1
73Human Resources Specialists8990$65,570$31.520.4
74Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity8850$32,480$15.610.3
75Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric8810$137,710$66.210.3
76Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators8550$40,550$19.50.4
77Food Preparation Workers8300$26,240$12.620.5
78Buyers and Purchasing Agents8130$75,580$36.340.25
79Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics7980$45,420$21.840.5
80Carpenters7950$55,150$26.510.6
81Loan Officers7820$79,970$38.450.2
82Financial Managers7650$142,190$68.360.4
83Engine and Other Machine Assemblers7600$52,640$25.310
84Management Analysts7600$99,520$47.840.55
85Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers7600$61,800$29.710.4
86Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop7470$22,580$10.860.3
87Pharmacy Technicians7470$35,540$17.090.3
88Childcare Workers7260$24,700$11.870.7
89Dishwashers7160$23,320$11.210.3
90Architectural and Engineering Managers7060$141,850$68.20.1
91Bartenders7000$26,520$12.750.4
92Packers and Packagers, Hand6670$35,770$17.20.4
93Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists6650$30,810$14.810.4
94First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers6560$72,660$34.930.3
95Counter and Rental Clerks6370$28,950$13.920.3
96Billing and Posting Clerks6190$40,250$19.350.3
97Computer Occupations, All Other6180$78,810$37.890.3
98First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers6050$75,620$36.360.4
99Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other6010$85,920$41.310.2
100Tool and Die Makers5980$56,820$27.320
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Detroit Colleges
Detroit colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Detroit Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$54,9401,980,730
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,170244,970
Production Occupations$43,160200,890
Sales and Related Occupations$45,290190,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$25,830172,530
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$40,440159,270
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$82,460124,070
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$77,700120,770
Management Occupations$124,850102,140
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$90,00090,570
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$59,35081,060
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,79080,220
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,72073,710
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$84,89069,780
Construction and Extraction Occupations$57,71062,500
Retail Salespersons$30,70062,400
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,60054,630
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,57053,580
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,92050,710
Customer Service Representatives$39,53043,980
Personal Care and Service Occupations$29,62042,590
Registered Nurses$75,81041,400
Office Clerks, General$37,00040,950
Cashiers$24,46039,180
Waiters and Waitresses$24,95037,450
Protective Service Occupations$45,85034,780
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,94031,980
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$32,80031,950
Mechanical Engineers$97,26030,840
General and Operations Managers$132,31029,910
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,74028,860
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$95,17027,890
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$43,03027,490
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,51026,900
Community and Social Service Occupations$49,23024,670
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$58,26024,270
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$78,02022,580
Nursing Assistants$31,52020,810
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,95019,830
Industrial Engineers$94,42019,680
Cooks, Restaurant$27,05018,830
Accountants and Auditors$80,55018,650
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$78,54018,520
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,14017,120
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$40,83016,600
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$65,97016,310
Legal Occupations$94,97016,200
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$38,20015,740
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60,36015,610
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$45,91014,610

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$54,9401,980,730
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,170244,970
Production Occupations$43,160200,890
Sales and Related Occupations$45,290190,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$25,830172,530
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$40,440159,270
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$82,460124,070
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$77,700120,770
Management Occupations$124,850102,140
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$90,00090,570
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$59,35081,060
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,79080,220
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,72073,710
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$84,89069,780
Construction and Extraction Occupations$57,71062,500
Retail Salespersons$30,70062,400
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,60054,630
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,57053,580
Customer Service Representatives$39,53043,980
Personal Care and Service Occupations$29,62042,590
Registered Nurses$75,81041,400
Office Clerks, General$37,00040,950
Protective Service Occupations$45,85034,780
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,94031,980
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$32,80031,950
Mechanical Engineers$97,26030,840
General and Operations Managers$132,31029,910
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,74028,860
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$95,17027,890
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$43,03027,490
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,51026,900
Community and Social Service Occupations$49,23024,670
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$58,26024,270
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$78,02022,580
Nursing Assistants$31,52020,810
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,95019,830
Industrial Engineers$94,42019,680
Cooks, Restaurant$27,05018,830
Accountants and Auditors$80,55018,650
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$78,54018,520
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,14017,120
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$40,83016,600
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$65,97016,310
Legal Occupations$94,97016,200
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$38,20015,740
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60,36015,610
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$45,91014,610
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,84014,160
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,42013,930
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,93013,450

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