Of the 20 most common occupations in Michigan in 2023, 14 paid less than $20 per hour. According to the United Way, of all the workers in the top 20 occupations in the state, 30% lived in households below the ALICE threshold, meaning they faced financial instability.
Michigan Association of United Ways ALICE Policy Director Bobby Dorigo-Jones says they saw something new about the workforce in the latest report. Psychiatric aids and behavioral health work is newly a top 20 most common job in the state, and these are one of the most common jobs in that top 20 to be ALICE.
“Psychiatric aids and behavioral health work is newly a top 20 most common job in the state, and these are one of the most common jobs in that top 20 to be ALICE.” Jones said. “Over half of the orderlies and psychiatric aids in our state live below the ALICE threshold.”
Between 2010 and 2023, they found the total number of households increased by 7% and the number of households in poverty decreased by 3%.
If you need help, the United Way reminds you just dial 211.
