South Carolina’s Employment Situation March 2017

Employment Growth Continues, Unemployment Rate Remains Steady

Nearly everyone who entered the labor force in March found work, setting a new employment record for the state.

The number of individuals working increased by 9,539 in March to a historic high of 2,229,599 people. South Carolina’s labor force increased 9,763 to 2,333,186 people, while the number of people unemployed edged up by 224 over February, increasing to 103,587. This kept the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March steady at 4.4 percent for the third consecutive month.

During the past year, the labor force has grown by 36,734, and employment gains totaled 55,370. The level of unemployment since March 2016 has decreased by 18,636 people.

Nationally, March’s unemployment rate fell from 4.7 percent in February to 4.5 percent.

 

DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement

“The fact that nearly everyone entering the labor force in March found work is truly a testament to how robust the economy is in South Carolina. Businesses are deciding South Carolina is where they want to grow and expand and, therefore, are in need of our number one resource – our people. And in turn, more and more people are feeling confident and optimistic about the opportunities available to them as they return to the workforce,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

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.

 

 

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

Seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,400 from February to March to reach a record high of 2,077,700.

• Increases were recorded in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,200); Education and Health Services (+1,400); Manufacturing (+1,200); Government (+900); and Leisure and Hospitality (+800).
• Five industries reported decreases: Professional and Business Services (-1,700); Other Services (-1,500); Financial Activities (-1,100); Construction (-700); and Information (-100).

Compared to March 2016, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 35,800.

• Gains were seen in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+11,000); Manufacturing (+8,500); Professional and Business Services (+6,400); Education and Health Services (+6,300); Construction (+2,800); Government (+2,400); and Financial Activities (+300).
• Other Services (-1,200); Leisure and Hospitality (-500); and Information (-400) reported loses in the last year. 

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 19,700 from February to March to a total of 2,072,000. Gains were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (+10,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,300); Manufacturing (+2,100); Government (+1,800); Education and Health Services (+1,300); Professional and Business Services (+900); Construction (+200); and Financial Activities (+100). Mining and Logging remained the same and Other Services (-900) and Information (-200) had decreases.

 

Since March 2016, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs increased 39,300 across the state. Industries with annual gains were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+11,600); Manufacturing (+8,400); Education and Health Services (+7,400); Professional and Business Services (+6,300); Construction (+3,200); and Government (+2,700). Additional gains were recorded in Financial Activities (+900); Mining and Logging (+200); and Leisure and Hospitality (+100). Downturns occurred in Other Services (-1,100) and Information (-400).