Building high-performing sales teams for employee benefits organizations is central to my work as an insurance recruiter in the Detroit market. I also serve as an executive search partner and headhunter for service and leadership roles across group health and ancillary/voluntary benefits.
The Detroit metro region recorded approximately 2.06 million nonfarm jobs in November 2025 according to the Detroit Regional Chamber. University of Michigan economists project Detroit payroll employment will recover to pre-pandemic levels by the first quarter of 2026 with steady job growth averaging 0.7% to 0.8% annually through 2030. The automotive and mobility industry contributes $348 billion to Michigan’s economy and supports more than 1.2 million jobs directly or indirectly across the state. Metro Detroit’s healthcare sector ranks fourth in the nation and supports over 245,000 direct jobs with an additional 120,400 jobs from allied sectors.
Michigan’s individual ACA marketplace approved average premium increases of 20.2% for 2026 according to the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Large employer plans are expecting approximately 6.5% average increases for 2026. State employee benefit premium rates will increase for 2026 based on anticipated higher costs of dental, medical, prescription and behavioral health claim expenses. High-deductible health plans paired with health savings accounts continue as a prevalent option across employer groups.
Michigan ranked first nationally for automotive manufacturing strength in the 2025 Business Facilities rankings and third for manufacturing jobs and semiconductor jobs. Detroit was recognized as a top tech talent leader in the mid-sized labor pool category. The education and health services sector and professional and business services together account for significant portions of regional employment. Sales professionals in the employee benefits sector work with employers seeking competitive group health and ancillary/voluntary benefits packages including dental, vision, life and disability coverage.
