South Carolina’s Employment Situation – November 2017

S.C. business payrolls set record, unemployment rate edges up

South Carolina businesses continued to set record job levels in November with manufacturing leading the way by adding 3,800 jobs over the month.

While nonfarm payrolls grew, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up to 4 percent in November from October’s rate of 3.9 percent. In the last six months, the unemployment rate has remained steady in the 3.9 percent to 4 percent range.

The number of South Carolinians working decreased over the month by 2,451 to 2,232,579 people, while the number of unemployed increased by 1,648 to 92,740. The state’s labor force in November decreased by 803 to 2,325,319 people.

Since November of 2016, the labor force has grown by 27,178 people, and employment gains totaled 34,305. The level of unemployed people decreased by 7,127.

Nationally, the unemployment rate showed no change, remaining at 4.1 percent in November.

 

DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement:

“It is exciting to see that businesses have added nearly 8,000 workers in this last month, providing opportunities for South Carolinians. Each time a company decides to expand or build a facility in South Carolina, they are giving the state a vote of confidence that we have a skilled workforce available to fill their positions,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “We are working to help ensure that all citizens – whether a disabled veteran, the homeless or an ex-offender – can take advantage of these opportunities by removing any barriers to employment.” 

 

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)

November 2017 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 7,900 over the month to a record level of 2,113,600.

• The state’s job count rose in Manufacturing (+3,800); Professional and Business Services (+3,600); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,700); Construction (+1,000); and Financial Activities (+500).
• Industries recording job losses during the same month were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,700); Government (-600); Other Services (-200); Information (-100); and Education and Health Services (-100).

From November 2016 to November 2017, South Carolina’s economy has added 44,800 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs.

• Industries with noticeable gains were Professional and Business Services (+13,300); Manufacturing (+11,000); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,000); Education and Health Services (+6,900); Government (+4,100); Other Services (+1,600); Financial Activities (+1,200); and Leisure and Hospitality (+700).
• Declines were reported in Construction (-1,000) and Information (-1,000).

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 11,400 from October 2017 to November 2017 for a total of 2,121,400.

• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,400); Manufacturing (+4,300); Professional and Business Services (+2,600); and Government (+1,300) had the most job growth during the month. Additional increases came from Construction (+300) and Information (+100). Mining and Logging remained the same.
• Industries declining during the month were Leisure and Hospitality (-3,800); Education and Health Services (-400); Other Services (-200); and Financial Activities (-200).

Since November 2016, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 42,400 overall in South Carolina.

• Industries marking gains were Manufacturing (+10,700); Professional and Business Services (+10,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,700); Education and Health Services (+7,100); Government (+4,200); Other Services (+1,300); Financial Activities (+1,300); and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,200). Mining and Logging held steady year over year.
• Decreases occurred in the Information (-1,000) and Construction (-300) sectors.

 

 

 

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.