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Writer's pictureMichelle Wein

Healthcare Labor Market Analysis - Michigan 2021

Michigan Health Council (MHC) is proud to share a Labor Market Analysis on the state of Michigan for 2021. The healthcare workforce is a vital part of Michigan’s healthcare delivery system; the quality of care provided is dependent on a diverse and competent healthcare workforce. The analysis presented herein suggests a growing demand over the next ten years for healthcare workers in a variety of positions, but most especially in behavioral health, nursing, and patient support occupations. It also suggests that many occupations face recruitment and retention challenges; turnover continues to be a critical issue for much of the healthcare industry.

This report summarizes data from a variety of sources to describe Michigan’s healthcare workforce. The key goals of this report are to provide current, actionable insights to assist with crucial decision-making in Michigan’s healthcare labor market. Key findings include:

  • Jobs in the healthcare sector grew by 12 percent between 2011 and 2021.

  • Despite this ten-year growth, jobs in the healthcare sector declined by four percent between 2019 and 2020, likely due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. Jobs across Michigan’s economy declined by eight percent over the same time period.

  • Employer demand for healthcare positions continued to rise throughout 2021; monthly demand suggests levels for healthcare workers have been elevated since the end of 2020.

  • In particular, there was the most demand for Registered Nurses, Home Health and Personal Care Aides, Nursing Assistants, Medical Assistants, and Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses.

  • Advertised wages also rose throughout 2021 – the median wage for healthcare workers in Michigan increased 45.4 percent between January and December 2021.

  • Over the last ten years, there have been some gains in diversity throughout the healthcare workforce – the percentage of white workers dropped three percentage points, while other races and ethnicities gained. However, there is still much to be done in increasing diversity among healthcare workers in Michigan.

  • An aging workforce continues to be a concern – since 2011 the percentage of workers 55 and older increased by two and a half percentage points, while the percentage of workers 25-54 declined just over three percentage points.

  • Turnover across healthcare occupations in Michigan was 46 percent in 2021. Across all of Michigan’s employment sectors, it was 61 percent during the same time period.

  • Between now and 2031, the most growth in healthcare employment is expected in behavioral health, nursing, and patient support occupations. Declines are expected in dentistry, pharmacy, and physician occupations.


To view the report in full, please download it below.


MHC Insight is a service of Michigan Health Council.

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