South Carolina’s employment increases to record level, unemployment rate falls

South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped in April to 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent in March, while the number of people working in the state marked another record high.

“I continue to be encouraged and optimistic for the future of South Carolina. We have more people working now than any time in our state’s history. More and more people are feeling confident about the economy and are entering the workforce to take advantage of the opportunities available to them as businesses expand and grow here,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “But we have more work to do in helping to match the unemployed with the job openings across the state.”

The number of employed people increased by 3,978 to 2,233,160. The number of unemployed people dropped 2,126 in April to 101,513, and the state’s labor force increased by 1,852 to a total of 2,334,673.

In the last 12 months, the labor force has grown by 37,733 people, and employment gains totaled 55,856. The level of unemployment decreased by 18,123.

Nationally, the unemployment rate edged lower to 4.4 percent in April from 4.5 percent in March.

 

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

April 2017 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 1,700 over the month, to a level of 2,076,100.

• South Carolina saw job gains in Leisure and Hospitality (+2,000); Government (+900); Construction (+700); Financial Activities (+500); Other Services (+500); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+400).
• Industries reporting decreases were Professional and Business Services (-1,400); Education and Health Services (-1,100); Manufacturing (-600); and Information (-200).

Compared to April 2016, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 28,600.

• Gains were reported in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+9,200); Manufacturing (+7,400); Education and Health Services (+4,300); Government (+3,400); Construction (+2,800); Professional and Business Services (+2,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+700); and Financial Activities (+500).
• Decreases included the Information (-1,300) and Other Services (-1,000) industries.

 

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 14,000 from March 2017 to April 2017 for a total of 2,082,800.

• Gains were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (+10,300); Construction (+1,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,400); Government (+600); Financial Activities (+500); Professional and Business Services (+400); and Other Services (+300).
• Information and Mining and Logging remained the same.
• Industries showing decreases were Education and Health Services (-500) and Manufacturing (-400).

The over-the-year, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm job count was up 25,600.

• Industries marking annual gains were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,800); Manufacturing (+7,300); Education and Health Services (+5,500); Construction (+3,700); Government (+2,700); Professional and Business Services (+700); Financial Activities (+200); and Mining and Logging (+200).
• Information (-1,200); Other Services (-1,200); and Leisure and Hospitality (-100) sectors saw decreases.

 

About DEW

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) 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. DE 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.