More than 10,000 South Carolinians find work in December, unemployment rate remains at 5.5 percent
January 27, 2016
COLUMBIA, SC – The December unemployment rate remained unchanged from November at 5.5 percent. However, the number of people working in South Carolina grew by 10,111 people, pushing South Carolina’s employment level to 2,147,642, a historic high.
The number of people unemployed was virtually unchanged from November to December at 124,022 while the labor force increased by 10,300 to 2,271,664 people.
Over the past year, employment gains totaled 78,452, an all-time, year-over-year record for the state. Since December 2014, the number of unemployed people has decreased by 23,040, and the labor force has grown by nearly 55,412 people.
Nationally, the unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent in December.
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
Seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls for December increased from November by 15,100 to reach a record high level of 2,040,200.
- The top industries with gains were Professional and Business Services (+5,200) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,800).
- Job advances were also reported in Other Services (+1,800); Manufacturing (+1,400); Government (+1,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+1,000); Financial Activities (+900); Construction (+200); Information (+200); and Education and Health Services (+100).
Compared to December 2014, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 65,000.
- Industries posting gains were Professional and Business Services (+19,800); Leisure and Hospitality (+13,300); Education and Health Services (+11,500); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+10,800); Construction (+6,000); Government (+4,000); and Other Services (+3,000).
- Declines were reported in Financial Activities (-1,700); Manufacturing (-1,300); and Information (-300).
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)
From November to December, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,800 to 2,040,400. Gains were counted in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,800); Professional and Business Services (+2,700); Manufacturing (+1,200); Other Services (+1,100); Financial Activities (+800); Construction (+600); Natural Resources and Mining (+100); and Information (+100). Industries with decreases were Leisure and Hospitality (-5,400); Education and Health Services (-100); and Government (-100).
Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs from December 2014 to December 2015 were up 64,500 in the Palmetto State. Strong annual gains came from Professional and Business Services (+19,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+12,800); Education and Health Services (+11,500); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+11,000); Construction (+6,000); Government (+4,100); and Other Services (+3,000). Four industries registered losses over the year: Financial Activities (-1,700); Manufacturing (-1,300); Information (-400); and Natural Resources and Mining (-100).
DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement
COLUMBIA, SC – December 2015 Employment Statement:
“While the state’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.5 percent, it is exciting to see that more than 10,000 people found work in the month of December and are now providing for themselves,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “This shows us that anyone who wants work and is able to work can find a job. There are nearly 67,000 current job openings in the state. We must continue to build a trained workforce to fill these openings and to meet our employers’ future needs.”
About SCDEW
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency invests in building a pipeline of quality workers, matches workers with jobs, and is a bridge for individuals who find themselves out of work for no fault of their own. This promotes financial stability and economic prosperity for employers, individuals and communities. SCDEW is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services that meet the needs of the state’s businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.
