South Carolina’s Employment Situation July 2018

Employment levels continue record climb for the state of South Carolina, unemployment rate declines to 3.6 percent

The number of individuals working across the state increased by 1,651 people to 2,227,624, setting a new record level.

Unemployment decreased significantly for the fourth consecutive month by 4,766 to 82,330. While the state’s labor force declined by 3,115 to 2,309,954 people, the changes in the labor force drove the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate down to 3.6 percent from June’s estimate of 3.8 percent.

Since July of 2017, employment gains totaled 11,281, and the labor force has declined by 3,268 people. The level of unemployed fell by 14,549 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate ticked lower to 3.9 percent from June’s rate of 4.0 percent.

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

July 2018 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 2,600 over the month to a level of 2,129,000.

• The consistency in employment was primarily due to growth in Construction (+1,500); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1000); Manufacturing (+1,100); Education and Health Services (+400); and Information (+200).
• The industries reporting declines during the same period were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,000); Other Services (-500); and Financial Activities (-200).
• The sectors Government (0); and Professional and Business Services (0) remained the same.

From July 2017 to July 2018, South Carolina’s economy has added 34,800 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs.

• Industries with noticeable gains were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+12,000); Leisure and Hospitality (+9,300); Education and Health Services (+8,400); Manufacturing (+5,000); Other Services (+3,100); and Information (+600).
• Declines were reported in Construction (-2,300); Professional and Business Services (-700); Financial Activities (-500); and Government (-300).

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 13,500 from June 2018 to July 2018 for a total of 2,132,200.

• Industries showing notable growth were Construction (+2,000); Manufacturing (+700); Financial Activities (+300); and Information (+300).
• Mining and Logging remained the same.
• Industries declining during the month were Government (-11,300); Professional and Business Services (-2,900); Leisure and Hospitality (-1,200); Other Services (-700); Education and Health Services (-600); and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-100).

Since July 2017, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 38,700 overall in South Carolina.

• Industries marking strong annual gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+11,700); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+10,900); Education and Health Services (+7,100); Manufacturing (+4,400); Other Services (+3,000); Government (+2,000); Information (+800); Mining and Logging (+200); and Financial Activities (+200).
• Losses were seen in Construction (-1,100); and Professional and Business Services (-500).

DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement

July 2018 Employment Statement

“As businesses thrive in South Carolina they continue to hire at record levels, but they need a trained and ready workforce to support growth,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “In September, the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, the SC Technical College System and the State Workforce Development Board will join the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce to host the 2018 Workforce Development Symposium. This event is an opportunity for business, education, workforce professionals and other stakeholders to address the challenge of workforce needs and labor force availability in the state. The goal is to provide insight on innovative workforce development that will help businesses build a strong talent pipeline while helping South Carolinians find work.”

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.