Michigan Teen Summer Employment Rebounds

The labor market for teens in Michigan, like the rest of the United States, is experiencing a slow but steady comeback. In 2021, the United States witnessed the strongest summer for teen employment in years, with businesses grappling with labor shortages and eagerly hiring teens. 

This was a marked increase from the summer of 2020, when many traditional teen employers like restaurants and shops were impacted by pandemic-related restrictions.Michigan Teen Summer Employment Rebounds" Michigan's teen summer employment has shown promising signs of recovery following the dip in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The labor market for teens in Michigan, like the rest of the United States, is experiencing a slow but steady comeback. In 2021, the United States witnessed the strongest summer for teen employment in years, with businesses grappling with labor shortages and eagerly hiring teens. This was a marked increase from the summer of 2020, when many traditional teen employers like restaurants and shops were impacted by pandemic-related restrictions. 

 The summer of 2021 recorded more than 6 million U.S. teens employed, representing the highest teen summer employment rate since 2008. Key industries driving this surge included accommodation and food services, arts and recreation, and manufacturing. While this trend shows an optimistic return to pre-pandemic levels, the long-term trend of teen employment during the summer has been on a decline when compared to earlier decades. 

 As of July 2023, approximately 55.0 percent of young people (ages 16 to 24) were employed, which is slightly below the level of July 2019, prior to the pandemic. This indicates that while there has been a rebound in teen employment, it has not yet fully reached the pre-pandemic level. The labor force participation rate for teens was around 60.2 percent in July 2023, showing little change from the previous year. 

 This trend in Michigan and the broader U.S. suggests a continuing recovery and potentially more opportunities for teens seeking employment in the coming summers. The focus for many will be on whether this upward trend can be maintained and how it will adapt to the evolving economic and social landscapes​ (BLS.gov)​​ (Pew Research Center)​.

“Role of Non-Verbal Communication: Non-verbal cues are as influential as verbal responses.”