South Carolina’s Employment Situation April 2014

Unemployment Rate Decreases; Lowest Rate Since June 2001

COLUMBIA, SC

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.3 percent in April down from March’s rate of 5.5 percent. The last time the rate was at this level was in June 2001. The number of unemployed persons was 114,413, a decline of 4,652 people over the month. The number of South Carolinians working continues to trend upward, rising for nine consecutive months, and reaching a historic high in April of 2,050,776 people. This marks a 4,713 increase since March, and an estimated 35,939 people have found work since April 2013.

Over the month, the labor force ticked up by 61 people to a level of 2,165,189. Since April 2013, the labor force has declined by nearly 23,000 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 6.3 percent in April.

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

April’s seasonally adjusted, non-farm payrolls jumped by 5,300 over the month, to reach the level of 1,929,200. This is the second employment increase this year.

• South Carolina experienced gains in Manufacturing (+1,800); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+1,600); Government (+1,300); Leisure and Hospitality (+800); and, Education and Health Services (+600). Other increases were reported in Professional and Business Services (+200) and Information (+100).
• Financial Activities (-500); Other Services (-400); and Construction (-200) reported losses.

 

Since April 2013, seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 39,900.

• Industries with gains were Professional and Business Services (+9,500); Leisure and Hospitality (+9,100); Manufacturing (+7,300); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+7,000); Education and Health Services (+5,400); and, Construction (+3,600).
• Industries experiencing declines over the year were Financial Activities (-1,000); and Government and Other Services both down (-400); and Information (-100).

 

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not-seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment increased by 19,000 from March to April to a level of 1,937,400. Growth was concentrated in service-providing industries with Leisure and Hospitality leading the way.

In addition to the jump in Leisure and Hospitality (+9,000), the following industries also reported improved employment levels: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+3,200); Professional and Business Services (+2,500); Manufacturing (+1,700); and Education and Health Services and Government, both with gains of (+1,100). Smaller increases were seen in Construction (+700) and Information (+200). Two industries reported losses over the month: Other Services (-300) and Financial Activities (-200).

Since April 2013, not-seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 40,300 overall in South Carolina’s workforce. These annual gains came from Leisure and Hospitality (+9,400); Professional and Business Services (+8,900); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,200); Manufacturing (+7,000); Education and Health Services (+6,300); and Construction (+3,600). There were losses over the year in Financial Activities (-1,000); Other Services (-600); Government (-300); Information (-100); and Natural Resources and Mining (-100).

 

 

 

 

DEW Executive Director Cheryl M. Stanton’s Statement
April 2014 Employment Situation

Employment Increased for Ninth Consecutive Month

“The number of working people has increased for nine consecutive months, and South Carolina continues to reach historic employment levels,” said Cheryl M. Stanton, executive director of the SC Department of Employment and Workforce. “Our agency remains dedicated to connecting the state’s businesses and job seekers and providing them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in today’s growing economy.”