Higher Education
There are many exceptional educational institutions and opportunities in the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, designed to prepare young people for the jobs of the future. Our community shows dedication to the enhancement of our region’s workforce by collaborating with businesses to attract talent to the area.
Workforce
Centrally located between Detroit and Ann Arbor, the Aerotropolis region provides a labor market spanning 12 counties and containing a labor force of 3 million people.
While 65% of workers in the Aerotropolis live in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, ease of access via I-94 and I-275 attracts employees from 10 counties in more than a 60-mile radius. More than a quarter of those employed in this region travel 25 miles or more from their home to work. Of those, half travel more than 50 miles.
| Detroit Region Aerotropolis | Washtenaw & Wayne Counties | Michigan | |
| Labor Force | 107,121 | 940,359 | 4,749,000 |
| Employment | 92,516 | 879,161 | 4,493,000 |
| Unemployment | 14,558 | 61,198 | 256,000 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.50% | 5.40% |
| Median household income | $49,841 (Average) | $50,777 (Average) | $48,411 |
Employment Data – SEMCOG 2015, Census Bureau ACS 2014
Average Hourly Wage by Occupation (2016)
In Wayne and Washtenaw Counties
| Industry | Occupation | Avg. Hourly Earnings |
| Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics | General and Operations Managers | $56.16 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $46.02 | |
| Logisticians | $38.28 | |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $21.51 | |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $19.36 | |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers | $14.39 | |
| Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing | Mechanical Engineers | $44.87 |
| Electrical Engineers | $44.16 | |
| Industrial Engineers | $41.43 | |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $37.96 | |
| Information Technology & Software | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $62.64 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $43.44 | |
| Software Developers, Applications | $43.15 | |
| Software Developers, Systems Software | $42.61 | |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $36.34 | |
| Web Developers | $29.26 | |
| Professional Services | Management Analysts | $40.03 |
| Financial Analysts | $38.84 | |
| Accountants and Auditors | $34.35 | |
| Insurance Sales Agents | $28.86 | |
| Customer Service Representatives | $16.51 |
Employees in Our Labor Market
| Industry | Employees |
| Professional and Business Services | 90,224 |
| Warehousing, Transportation, and Utilities | 44,398 |
| Education and Health Services | 226,624 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 101,311 |
| Manufacturing | 146,443 |
| Financial Activities | 44,824 |
| Information | 16,336 |
| Wholesale & Retail Trade | 116,998 |
Location Quotient Analysis
Source: Workforce Intelligence Network
A location quotient is a measurement of the concentration of workers in an area compared to the nation as a whole, with a measurement of 1.0 being the baseline.
- Commercial and industrial designers in Washtenaw and Wayne have a location quotient (LQ) of 8.38, meaning that this type of worker is over 8 times more concentrated in this region than across the nation. Or, commercial and industrial engineers are 738% more concentrated at this geography than the national average.
- Mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineers have an LQ of 6.57, 4.28, and 2.42, respectively. That is, the concentration for mechanical engineers is 557% higher than the national average, and similarly for industrial and electrical engineers.
- The concentration of management analysts (LQ = 0.97), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (LQ = 0.94), and applications software developers (LQ = 1.08) in Washtenaw and Wayne is close to the national average.
Educational Attainment
| Educational Attainment: | Washtenaw & Wayne Counties |
| Total Population Age 25+ | 2,554,094 |
| Grade K – 8 | 2.05% |
| Grade 9 – 12 | 7.60% |
| High School Graduate | 23.50% |
| Associates Degree | 6.90% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 19.00% |
| Graduate Degree | 16.75% |
| Some College, No Degree | 22.60% |
Talent Resources
Detroit Region Aerotropolis businesses, workers, job seekers, and students have access to a number of educational institutions and workforce training and development resources. These resources help employers identify, recruit, and train current and future employees. It can also help students and job seekers identify and prepare for career opportunities.
Michigan WORKS!
The Michigan Works! Association was established in 1987 to provide services and support to Michigan’s workforce development system. Employers across Michigan turn to Michigan Works! to identify skilled candidates who are prepared and ready to succeed.
Michigan Works! agencies and service centers offer a variety of services, such as online job advertisement, training support, talent recruitment, and resume sorting to ensure that the labor force meets the needs of employers.
There are two Michigan WORKS! offices conveniently located in the Aerotropolis region, and more than two dozen across southeast Michigan.
Ypsilanti
304 Harriet Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 714-9814
Taylor (located in SEMCA offices)
25363 Eureka Rd., Taylor, MI 48180
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA)
Since 1996 the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) has been a leader in talent development programs. SEMCA partners with various community organizations and contractors to achieve its vision of a competitive economy that is sustained by private and public partnerships that develop a productive workforce. SEMCA is also home to the Workforce Development Board serving Wayne and Monroe Counties.
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance
25363 Eureka Rd., Taylor, MI 48180
(734) 229-3500
www.semca.org
