South Carolina’s Employment Situation April 2013

Unemployment rate drops to lowest in five years

May 20, 2013 – The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fellsignificantly in April to 8.0 percent from March’s 8.4 percent estimate. This is the lowest rate since October 2008 and represents the largestmonth-to-month decrease since May 1987.

The number of employedpeople increased by 2,935 from March to April to 1,995,078. This is thetenth consecutive monthly increase in people finding work across thestate. The estimated number of unemployed persons was 174,352.Nationally, the unemployment rate declined slightly to 7.5 percent.

This drop in unemployment is yet another piece of great news for SouthCarolina, said Governor Nikki Haley. Our outstanding companies, ourloyal and dedicated workforce, and our competitive business environmenthave our economy turning again. There’s no doubt that South Carolina ison the move, and we couldn’t be more excited about the great things instore for our state.

Employment by Industry

• Non-farm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased 15,100 from March to April to a total of 1,889,500. Growth was concentrated in service-providingindustries with Leisure and Hospitality leading the way.
• With again of 8,700 jobs, Leisure and Hospitality reported an increase for the third consecutive month, as employers continued their seasonal hiringin the coastal areas and the state capital. This hiring was primarily in Accommodation and Food Services. In addition, the Retail Tradesubsector expanded. Improvements in April were also reported inProfessional and Business Services (+2,700); Trade, Transportation, andUtilities (+2,300), Construction (+1,300), Education and Health Services (+1,300), and Financial Activities (+700).
• Only the Manufacturing industry reported a loss (-900) as employment in both durable and non-durable goods fell.

Since April 2012, non-seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in the state were up 26,200.

• The Leisure and Hospitality industry led the gain (+10,400). Government(+5,900); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,700); and FinancialActivities (+4,100) also reported growth.
• Increases in Construction (+3,000) and Manufacturing (+1,000) assisted in job expansion.
• Professional and Business Services (-4,800) saw the largest decline since a yearago, and there was a modest decrease in Mining and Logging (-100).

“South Carolina’s April unemployment rate is outstanding news as we continuealong the road of economic recovery. The 0.4 percent decrease from March marks the largest month-to-month drop since May 1987, and the number of South Carolinians finding work continues to increase each month. As the Palmetto State’s unemployment rate closes in on the national average,DEW remains dedicated to helping both businesses and jobseekers.”