South Carolina’s Employment Situation – January 2019

• Job Growth Remains Stout
• Unemployment Rate Unchanged

The number of individuals working across the state increased substantially, by an estimated 5,582 people, marking a new record of 2,260,509 for the Palmetto State.

Unemployment estimates showed little change over the month, decreasing by 421 to 74,823 people. The state’s labor force increased by 5,161 to 2,335,332 people, as the almost all of jobseekers entering the labor force found jobs.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2 percent from the revised December 2018 rate of 3.2 percent.

Since January of 2018, employment gains moved notably higher by approximately 35,251 people, and the labor force estimate rose by 19,237 people. The level of unemployed moved significantly lower by roughly 16,014 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased to 4.0 percent from December’s estimate of 3.9 percent.

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

In January 2019, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 7,400 over the month to a record level of 2,173,900.

• The increase was mostly due to the influence in employment levels occurring in Trade Transportation, and Utilities (+2,600); Professional and Business Services (+1,900); Manufacturing (+1,500); Leisure and Hospitality (+1,100); and Government (+800). Also reporting marginal increases were Information (+200); Education and Health Services (+200); and Financial Activities (+100).
• Industries reporting declines were Construction (-800) and Other Services (-300).

From January 2018 to January 2019, South Carolina’s economy has added 34,300 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.

• Industries marking growth were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+11,700); Professional and Business Services (+8,200); Manufacturing (+7,400); Education and Health Services (+5,200); Leisure and Hospitality (+3,300); Government (+3,000); Information (+600); and Financial Activities (+100).
• However, noticeable decreases were seen in Construction (-3,900) and Other Services (-1,400).

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 35,000 from December 2018 to January 2019 for a total of 2,138,100. This decline is a typical for the December-to-January time period due to seasonal layoffs and school closings between terms.

• The only industries that saw growth were in Manufacturing (+500) and Mining and Logging (+100).
• Industries reporting losses were seen in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-10,900); Leisure and Hospitality (-6,900); Professional and Business Services (-5,900); Government (-4,600); Education and Health Services (-3,900); Construction (-1,500); Other Services (-1,300); Information (-300); and Financial Activities (-300).

Since January 2018, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 36,300 overall in South Carolina.

• Industries marking strong annual gains were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+12,900); Professional and Business Services (+8,800); Manufacturing (7,900); Education and Health Services (+5,100); Government (+2,500); Leisure and Hospitality (+2,400); Financial Activities (+600); Information (+500); and Mining and Logging (+100).
• Industries reporting declines were Construction (-2,800) and Other Services (-1,700).

 

DEW Acting Executive Director Jamie D. Suber’s Statement

January 2019 Employment Situation

“When employment is strong, the agency’s mission – to identify unique opportunities to help employers find the trained workforce for their business needs and help individuals overcome potential barriers to employment – becomes increasingly critical. In this effort, the SC Career Coach, a mobile expansion of the SC Works system, is now scheduled for visits throughout the state,” said Jamie Suber, acting executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “Replicating resources found in our physical locations, this mobile environment can travel to rural areas as well as offer on-site support services for various events. It is another extension of our services committed to partnering jobseekers and employers.”

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