Michigan: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #18 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 10,077,331.
Michigan ranks #18 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (40.5). Construction carries the lowest risk at 28.0 (Low), while Healthcare and Social Assistance is the most challenging at 52.5 (Elevated). The 24.4-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 621,590 jobs.
Michigan: 40.5 Average Entry Risk
Michigan at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Michigan
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Michigan.
Entry Risk by Industry in Michigan
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Michigan. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Michigan Industry Data: 231,140 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction NAICS 23 | 28.0 | #2/51 | 23,664 | 195,782 | $81,756 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 29.2 | #10/51 | 20,514 | 369,856 | $25,563 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 33.1 | #13/51 | 17,204 | 258,711 | $51,726 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 39.3 | #26/51 | 8,922 | 58,220 | $64,939 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 40.5 | #15/51 | 31,630 | 451,243 | $40,426 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 41.2 | #27/51 | 43,190 | 314,330 | $111,028 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 43.6 | #24/51 | 25,679 | 136,839 | $47,283 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 47.2 | #32/51 | 9,720 | 56,103 | $107,180 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 49.8 | #23/51 | 15,276 | 158,756 | $99,769 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 52.5 | #46/51 | 35,341 | 621,590 | $63,292 |
Largest Industries in Michigan by Employment
Metro Markets in Michigan
15 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Michigan Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Michigan's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Michigan averages 40.5 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #18 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Michigan?
Construction carries the lowest entry risk in Michigan at 28.0 (Low). It employs 195,782 workers across 23,664 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Michigan?
Healthcare and Social Assistance posts Michigan's highest entry risk at 52.5 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Michigan?
231,140 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Michigan, employing 2,621,430 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Michigan's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Michigan with 621,590 jobs across 35,341 establishments and an entry risk score of 52.5.