South Carolina has 2-to-1 unemployment vs. demand ratio
February 16, 2018
While South Carolina experienced a slight increase in its unemployment rate to 4.1 percent in December 2017, it also saw an increase in the number of available jobs.
The number of job openings rose 2,593 from November to December, according to the Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online report. Statewide, the unemployment vs. demand, or labor supply, ratio remained at 2-to-1 from November to December, with 96,434 people unemployed and 62,795 job openings.
Labor demand in the Trident Workforce Area – Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties – was greatest with 10,855 job openings posted. The Midlands Workforce Area – Fairfield Lexington and Richland counties – followed with 9,976 job openings. Both workforce areas had a 1-to-1 labor supply ratio.
Of all the job openings in South Carolina, Registered Nurses had the highest number of openings in December with 4,533, followed by Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck drivers reporting 3,873 jobs available. Rounding out the top five occupations with the most job openings were Retail Salespersons with 1,560, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers with 1,419 and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers with 1,133.
To see a map of South Carolina’s Local Workforce Development Areas, click here.
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.
