South Carolina’s Employment Situation September 2014
October 21, 2014
Unemployment Rate Increases for Third Consecutive Month
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.6 percent in September from a revised August level of 6.3 percent. The number of unemployed persons was 144,388, an increase of 6,437 over the month. The number of South Carolinians working ticked up by 2,527 people to 2,038,393. Over the month, the labor force increased by 8,964 people to a level of 2,182,781.
Since September 2013, 21,259 people have found work, and the labor force has increased by nearly 6,640 people. The state’s unemployment rate has declined by 0.7 percentage points since September 2013.
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased to 5.9 percent in September from 6.1 percent in August.
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
Seasonally adjusted, non-farm payrolls in September increased 13,000 to a level of 1,946,200.
- Leisure and Hospitality (+3,700) and Professional and Business Services (+2,900) had the largest gains.
- Construction (+1,800); Manufacturing (+1,400); Government (+1,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,100); Financial Activities (+400); and Education and Health Services (+300) also posted increases.
Since September 2013, seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 43,200.
- The largest jumps were in Leisure and Hospitality (+11,800); Professional and Business Services(+10,200); Manufacturing (+7,600); Education and Health Services (+6,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+5,600); Construction (+3,200); and Government (+1,000).
- Declines over the year were in Other Services (-900); Financial Activities (-700); and Information (-700).
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)
The not-seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment total in September increased 18,600 over the month to 1,949,000. Historically, employment has experienced growth during September as schools gear up for the semester.
The rise in employment was due to increases in Government (+21,200); Education and Health Services(+3,000); Professional and Business Services (+2,000); Manufacturing (+1,200); and Construction (+200). Industries reporting decreases were Leisure and Hospitality (-5,900); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-2,100); Other Services (-500); Information (-400); and Financial Activities (-100).
Since September 2013, not-seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 37,800 overall. Strong annual gains came from Professional and Business Services (+10,800); Leisure and Hospitality (+8,300); Manufacturing (+7,600); Education and Health Services (+6,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,200); Government (+2,200); and Construction (+1,600). Notable drops over the year were reported in Other Services (-1,500); Financial Activities (-900); and Information (-600).
DEW Executive Director Cheryl M. Stanton’s Statement
September 2014 Employment Situation
“South Carolina’s job outlook remains positive with more than two million South Carolinians working,” said DEW Executive Director Cheryl M. Stanton. “In the last year, more than 21,000 people have found work and there are over 43,000 new jobs in the Palmetto State.”
