South Carolina’s Employment Situation April 2016
May 22, 2016
- Employment Growth Maintains Momentum
- Unemployment Rate Inches Upward
The number of people working in South Carolina increased to a new record in April 2016, rising by 7,268 to 2,181,923.
During the month, the number of people in the labor force rose by 10,245 bringing the total to 2,316,224. This increase pushed the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate up from 5.7 percent in March to 5.8 percent in April. Over the month, unemployment rose by 2,977 to 134,301.
Since April 2015, employment gains totaled 72,447 people, and the level of the unemployed has decreased by 6,634. In the last year, the labor force has grown 65,813 people.
Nationally, April’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.0 percent.
Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls in April increased by 900 over March to a record level of 2,040,500. Financial Activities (+1,900) led the increases followed by Manufacturing (+1,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+1,200); and Professional and Business Services (+1,000). Growth also was seen in the Government (+200) and Information (+100) sectors. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-2,000); Other Services (-1,400); Construction (-900); and Education and Health Services (-800) experienced downturns.
Compared to April 2015, seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 53,200. Industries showing job growth were Professional and Business Services (+14,300); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,100); Education and Health Services (+7,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+5,600); and Construction (+5,600). Increases were also felt in Manufacturing (+4,900); Government (+3,200); Financial Activities (+2,400); Other Services (+1,200); and Information (+100).
Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)
With an increase of 16,100, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment improved from March to April 2016, reaching a total of 2,050,700. As the tourist season ramped up, growth was concentrated in Leisure and Hospitality (+8,700). Additional gains were seen in Professional and Business Services (+3,800); Financial Activities (+1,800); Manufacturing (+1,700); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+700); Government (+500); and Construction (+300). Fewer jobs were added in Information (+100) and Education and Health Services (+100). Mining and Logging remained the same while Other Services (-1,600) saw a decline.
Since April 2015, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 53,900. Strong annual gains came from Professional and Business Services (+14,400); Education and Health Services (+8,800); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,600); Construction (+6,800); Government (+4,800); Manufacturing (+4,300); Leisure and Hospitality (+4,200); Financial Activities (+2,100); Other Services (+700); and Mining and Logging (+200). Information was unchanged.
