Macomb County: Blue Collar to New Collar
For decades, Macomb County was known as a typical blue-collar community. It is no longer just a community of going to work, rolling-up-your-sleeves employees pounding out the Motor City’s latest muscle-bound V-8.
Today’s Macomb County is changing from blue collar to new collar – manufacturing jobs that require a technical skill set.
Macomb County workforce
Today, Macomb County has a vast, varied, robust workforce. Whether its skilled trades, high-tech, engineering or sales, Macomb County has the job experience profiles you need to start, grow or advance your business.
Types of workers
With a population of nearly 873,000, Macomb County has a labor force of more than 442,992 (working or seeking employment), with more than 344,000 of those regionally employed. (Source: EMSI)
Macomb County data
| Population | 872,965 |
| Labor force | 442,992 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% |
| White-collar jobs | 61% |
| Blue-collar jobs | 24% |
| Service industry jobs | 15% |
Macomb's educational attainment
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties
| Labor Force | 2,134,359 |
| Regional Employment | 1,997,449 |
| Regional Unemployment | 4.20% |
Macomb County’s top occupations - specialties
Engineering plays a key role in supporting the growth and development of a community’s economy. There is a strong link between Macomb County’s engineering capacity and its economic development.
Macomb has a strong collection of engineers, with 7,199 mechanical engineers; 4,016 industrial engineers; 1,122 electrical engineers; 1,036 civil engineers; and nearly 1,700 other types of engineers. Michigan has the fourth-largest engineering, design and development (EDD) workforce in the nation, with more than 116,000 employed in related industries in 2020. Employment in EDD industries is almost twice as concentrated in Michigan as the national average.
Michigan employs 4,500 commercial and industrial designers, the most in the nation. And Michigan has the highest concentration of these workers, five times higher than the national average, all of which makes Michigan a leader in the employment and concentration of commercial and industrial designers, industrial engineers, and mechanical engineers. (Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation)
Macomb County makes the tools that make the parts. The state of Michigan employs more tool and die makers (nearly 52,000) than any other state in the country, and the Detroit-area (or Macomb County) accounts for roughly 20% of those jobs. As of 2021, the Detroit area employed 9,142 tool and die makers, 741% above the national average. (Source: EMSI)
With 16,109 positions, miscellaneous assembly jobs have increased 21% in Macomb County since 2010. And molding/coremaking jobs (46%) have seen their numbers swell in Macomb County since 2010, with nearly 2,223 jobs in total.
Macomb County has more than 3,000 software developers.
Access to current and future talent
Macomb Community College (MCC) is one of the largest, most diverse community colleges in the country. Students have access to a wide variety of curricula for both associate degrees and certificates.
In addition:
MCC offers an Applied Technology and Apprenticeship Program, which combines on-the-job training with classroom and lab instruction. The College also offers extensive training in
Those who already hold associates degrees can work through MCC’s University Center to connect with 10 four-year institutions to receive bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Nearby universities
Macomb County is also centrally located around several four-year universities, including Wayne State University, Lawrence Technological University, Oakland University and the University of Detroit-Mercy. Within a short drive are the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University. Students can choose to live on campus or commute.
High School Career Tech programs
Macomb County public schools have 248 CTE programs for students to get hands-on training prior to seeking employment or secondary education. Career and Technical Education occupational programs offered in the county include:
- Agri-science and Natural Resources
- Allied Health Technologies
- Business Services and Technology
- Child and Adult Care Services
- Cosmetology
- Hospitality and Food Services
- Life Management Education/Family and Consumer Sciences
- Marketing Education
- Trade and Industry
Two of its public schools are Ford Next Generation Learning Communities, which use a collaborative, community-driven approach to achieve increased community prosperity, a strengthened talent pipeline, prepare students for college, careers, lifelong learning and leadership and educational equity.
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
A leader in coordinating and providing quality, comprehensive workforce development, employment and training services, Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! is comprised of trained professionals. Its staff assists in career and business development. Its goal is to prepare job seekers for in-demand careers and help employers connect with those job seekers who have the right skills. Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! Is a great connection point for veterans, unemployed, second-chance citizens, and young professionals just starting their careers.
Through Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!, employers providing on-the-job-training can be reimbursed for up to 50% of the new employee’s wages for a designated period of time for those that are eligible.