South Carolina’s employment situation
March 14, 2016
Employment growth continues, unemployment rate remains unchanged
South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January remained unchanged at 5.5 percent from December 2015. However, the number of people working increased by 10,853, setting a new record of 2,149,850.
The state’s labor force increased by 11,070 to 2,274,500 people. Unemployment rose slightly by 217 people from December to January, bringing the number of unemployed to 124,650.
Since January 2015, employment gains totaled 50,114, and the level of the unemployed decreased by 22,128 people. Also over the past year, the labor force has grown by 27,986.
Nationally, January’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
January’s seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls decreased by 10,100 over the month to 2,025,100.
Government led the industry increases (+1,500), followed by Construction (+1,100); Education and Health Services (+900); Manufacturing (+400); and Financial Activities (+200).
Decreases occurred in Professional and Business Services (-4,500); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-3,900); Leisure and Hospitality (-3,500); and Other Services (-2,000). Information (-300) reported a small decrease.
Since January 2015, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 43,200. Supporting this overall increase were Professional and Business Services (+10,300); Education and Health Services (+9,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+6,000); Government (+5,700); Construction (+5,000); Manufacturing (+4,300); Leisure and Hospitality (+1,800) and Financial Activities (+600). Other Services remained the same. Information decreased since last year (-100).
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)
Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment decreased (-44,300) from December 2015 to January 2016 for a total of 1,944,200. A lone industry saw growth: Mining, Logging and Construction (+100). Over-the-month decreases included Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-15,500); Professional and Business Services (-11,200); Leisure and Hospitality (-6,400); Government (-5,300); Education and Health Services (-2,000); and Other Services (-2,000). Smaller losses were reported in Manufacturing (-900); Financial Activities (-600); and Information (-500).
Since January 2015, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs in South Carolina were up 49,400. Most industries marked strong annual gains including Professional and Business Services (+9.800); Education and Health Services (+9,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,000); Mining, Logging and Construction (+5,600); Construction (+5,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+5,000); Government (+4,700); and Manufacturing (+4,500). Additional growth was seen in Financial Activities (+1,700); Other Services (+1,000); and Mining and Logging (+200). The only industry reporting a loss was Information (-100).
DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s statement
January 2016 Employment Statement
“Once again, we have a record number of people working with nearly 11,000 people finding work in January. In this robust economy, we also are seeing more and more people deciding to enter the job market, either for the first time or re-entering after time away. As they join the workforce, it is exciting to see that people are able to find work and are able to provide for themselves,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.
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.
