South Carolina’s Employment Situation February 2015

Employment Climb Continues; Unemployment Rate Holds Steady

COLUMBIA, SC – The number of South Carolinians working continues to march upward, reaching another historic high in February. The estimated number of employed people was 2,090,232, an increase of approximately 10,432 compared to January’s estimate. The state’s unemployment rate remained level at 6.6 percent.

People are not only entering the labor force at historic levels, they are finding employment. The labor force level was estimated at 2,238,648 people, an increase of 11,908 people over the month.

The estimated number of unemployed persons was 148,416, showing a modest increase since January of 1,476 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased to 5.5 percent in February from January’s 5.7 percent.

 

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)

February’s seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment increased by 10,400 to a level of 1,988,100, reaching a new record high for the second time this year.

• South Carolina’s most prominent increase occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (+4,000) with other gains in Construction (+2,500); Professional and Business Services (+1,700); Government (+1,400); and Manufacturing (+1,100).

• Additional increases were noted in Education and Health Services (+800) and Other Services (+300).

• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-700); Financial Activities (-500); and Information (-200) reported declines.

 

Compared to a year ago, seasonally adjusted, non-farm jobs were up 62,800.

• Large growth was noted in Professional and Business Services (+13,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+12,400); and Leisure and Hospitality (+11,400).

• Additional gains were seen in Education and Health Services (+7,300); Government (+5,800); Manufacturing (+5,700); Construction (+4,300); and Other Services (+1,700) with smaller gains in Financial Activities (+500) and Information (+200).

• There were no declining industries during this period.

 

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The not-seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment in February reported an over-the-month upturn of 20,000 to a total of 1,964,300. Growth was concentrated in Leisure and Hospitality (+6,100); Government (+5,800); Professional and Business Services (+4,300); Education and Health Services (+2,900); Construction (+2,000); and Manufacturing (+800). Modest losses were in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-900); Financial Activities (-700); Information (-200); and Other Services (-100).

 

From February 2014 to February 2015, not-seasonally adjusted, non-farm jobs were up 65,500 overall in the state. Large gains came in Professional and Business Services (+13,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+13,000); Leisure and Hospitality (+12,500); Education and Health Services (+7,300); Government (+6,200); Manufacturing (+5,500); and Construction (+4,700). Smaller gains were reported in Other Services (+1,500); Financial Activities (+1,200); Information (+400); and Information (+200).

 

DEW Executive Director Cheryl M. Stanton’s Statement February 2015 Employment Situation

“The record breaking trend continues as the number of South Carolinians working in February climbed to historic levels, and the labor force hit record numbers,” said DEW Executive Director Cheryl M. Stanton. “With the help of Gov. Haley’s SucceedSC initiative, we can expand upon this record-breaking trend by preparing workers for high-demand jobs and filling our state’s more than 70,000 current openings.”

 

 

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