Michigan has long been known as the center of the automotive industry, but it’s also a dynamic hub for cutting-edge technologies. From rapid electric vehicle (EV) and mobility innovation to a growing semiconductor industry and surge in clean energy tech, Michigan is continuing to be a leader in pioneering advancements that are shaping the future. Here are the fastest growing tech industries in Michigan and the excellent career opportunities they offer.
Michigan’s Top Tech Industries
EV & Mobility
Michigan has always been the epicenter of automotive innovation in the United States. Now, as the automotive industry evolves, so has Michigan’s tech industry. From Ford, General Motors ad Stellantis to startups like Our Next Energy, the automotive industry is being revolutionized by the demand for EVs and innovative modes of transportation: autonomous vehicles, drone delivery, e-bikes, and more.
Currently, 33% of battery production and development happens in Michigan. Companies from around the world are investing in Michigan to develop battery production facilities, and the state’s Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund is supporting the continued development of EV projects by matching federal grant funding.
Image source: May Mobility
Over the next 10 years, 30,000 jobs are predicted to be added to the mobility sector in Michigan. To help support the demand for workers in this field, Michigan has launched a variety of programs to educate and train a workforce necessary for these jobs.
The Michigander Scholars Program offers students a close-up look at the EV sector and awards up to $10,000 to qualifying students who take jobs in Michigan. Additionally, the EV Jobs Academy and the University of Michigan Battery Lab help train students in the field. The Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor supports the industry through independent research, education, information and more. And the newly opened Michigan Central is becoming a hub for tech development, especially in the mobility and EV sector, hosting companies such as Google and Ford.
Semiconductor
As the world becomes more and more digitized, the global demand for semiconductors increases. To combat the chip shortage in America, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 to boost American semiconductor research, development, and production. To that end, Michigan is rising to the challenge.
Many semiconductor companies are expanding in Michigan. Between 2015 and 2020, the state’s semiconductor job market increased 15%, and it’s projected to increase by another 6% over the next five years. Much of this growth is spurred on by the programs Michigan has developed to support this top rising tech industry.
Image source: MEDC
In June 2024, the Governor announced a $10M investment by the state in MSTAR (Michigan Semiconductor Talent and Technology for Automotive Research), aiming to make Michigan the world’s leader in automotive semiconductor technology and talent development. This investment builds on SCAN, the Semiconductor Career and Apprenticeship Network, which was formed in 2022 to work with existing semiconductor companies to build customized training programs for in-demand jobs.
In addition to the education and workforce development programs set in place, Michigan is already a top-5 state for research and development, and a top-10 state for the semiconductor workforce, thanks to the major semiconductor employers that already exist in the state, such as KLA, Hemlock, and SK Siltron. That number is only growing as more companies invest in Michigan and expand operations that promise more jobs in the semiconductor industry.
Clean Energy
The climate crisis is the most pressing and important challenge our society faces, and stakeholders across Michigan, including legislators, companies and communities, understand that action is required. In 2023, Governor Whitmer signed historic legislation that makes Michigan one of the most aggressive pursuers of clean energy, committing to a 100% clean energy standard by 2040.
What does that mean for the state’s workforce? Well, it’s predicted that there will be over 167,000 clean energy jobs created in Michigan over the next decade. This influx of jobs are supported by the MI Healthy Climate Plan, a statewide commitment to transitioning towards economy-wide carbon neutrality. As a result, the state is creating a steady flow of thousands of new jobs across the industry each year.
Image courtesy of GreenLancer, a Detroit software company accelerating energy
In addition to helping Michigan transition to a clean energy state, Michiganders are also making the world more environmentally friendly. The research and climate solutions developed in Michigan have a global impact.
For example, the University of Michigan Hydrogen Institute, the American Center for Mobility, and the Michigan Infrastructure Office are all members of the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s MachH2 Hydrogen Hub. This coalition will administer $1 billion from the Department of Energy to develop a regional supply chain for hydrogen production and distribution. EV developers in Michigan are distributing EVs around the world, and the clean vehicle industry saw a 14.4% increase in tech jobs in 2022.
For the chance to work on the future of mobility, tackle the semiconductor shortage, or be a part of solving the climate crisis, check out the many open jobs in Michigan’s top tech industries.
