South Carolina’s Employment Situation: February 2018
March 26, 2018
Employment, labor force and jobs continue to grow
People entering the state’s labor force and the number of people finding work increased in February 2018. Businesses’ payrolls also continued to grow by adding 9,400 jobs in the month, setting a new record level.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 4.4 percent in February from January’s rate of 4.3 percent as the labor force rose by 3,481 to 2,324,714 people. The number of individuals working across the state increased by 2,247 to 2,223,298. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 1,234 to 101,416.
Since February of 2017, the labor force has grown by 19,596 people, and employment gains totaled 19,954. The level of unemployed decreased by 358.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged, remaining at 4.1 percent in February.
Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
February 2018 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 9,400 over the month to a record level of 2,120,300.
- The state’s job count rose in Professional and Business Services (+2,700); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,200); Leisure and Hospitality (+1,400); Education and Health Services (+1,100); Other Services (+800); Financial Activities (+600); Manufacturing (+500); Construction (+100); and Government (+100).
- The only industry recording job losses during the month was Information (-100).
From February 2017 to February 2018, South Carolina’s economy has added 33,800 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs.
- Industries with noticeable gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+7,600); Manufacturing (+6,000); Education and Health Services (+5,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+3,600); Other Services (+3,300); Government (+3,100); Professional and Business Services (+2,800); Construction (+1,500); Financial Activities (+500); and Information (+200).
Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)
Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 21,000 from January 2017 to February 2018 for a total of 2,094,900.
- Industries showing gains were Professional and Business Services (+5,300); Leisure and Hospitality (+4,800); Government (+3,700); Education and Health Services (+3,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,100); Manufacturing (+500); Information (+200); and Financial Activities (+200).
- The only industry recording a decline during the month was Construction (-100).
- Mining and Logging remained the same.
Since February 2017, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 31,500 overall in South Carolina.
- All major industries marked annual gains: Education and Health Services (+5,500); Manufacturing (+5,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+5,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,900); Other Services (+3,200); Government (+2,700); Professional and Business Services (+2,100); Construction (+2,000); Financial Activities (+400); Information and Mining and Logging (+100), respectively.
DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement:
“Recently, four people living in a homeless shelter in Myrtle Beach graduated from our Back to Work program. And since graduating all four found work. It is exciting to see people enter the labor force and find work so they can take care of themselves and their families,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “It is equally exciting to see businesses continuing to add jobs and hire our citizens, many of whom have barriers to employment. Our mission is to ensure all residents, including veterans, ex-offenders, the disabled and the homeless, have the opportunity to succeed in the state’s booming economy by preparing them for the jobs available across the state.”
About DEW
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) 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. DEW 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.
