South Carolina’s Employment Situation March 2019

• Number of South Carolinians Employed Continues Record Climb
• Unemployment Rate Remains At Historic Lows

The number of individuals working moved substantially higher, by an estimated 6,826 people, establishing a new record of 2,274,185.

Unemployment estimates increased over the month by 1,803 to 76,309 people. The state’s labor force increased by approximately 8,629 to 2,350,494 people.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.2 percent.

Since March of 2018, employment gains moved markedly higher by approximately 41,030 people, and the labor force estimate rose by nearly 32,396 people. The level of unemployed moved lower by roughly 8,634 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent.

“While the continued rise in the number of people working across South Carolina is encouraging, it also underscores the timely significance of collaboration with business and industry to maintain this positive progression,” said Jamie Suber, acting executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

“Throughout the state, partnerships are developing and groups are cultivating the imperative conversations about the workforce system, centered around the needs of business. With industry at the core, all of the workforce partners can contribute to the talent pipeline – according to their mission and focus – in the most meaningful way to benefit South Carolina. This is an exciting process and one that will steer the direction of workforce for years to come.”

 

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

In March 2019, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls decreased by 2,100 over the month to a level of 2,170,000.

• The decline was mostly due to downturns in the Professional and Business Services (-3,200); Financial Activities (-700); Leisure and Hospitality (-700); and Construction (-500) industries.
• Industries reporting increases were Education and Health Services (+800); Manufacturing (+700); Other Services (+600); Government (+500); and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+200). Information remained constant.

From March 2018 to March 2019, South Carolina’s economy has added 31,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.

• Industries marking growth were Manufacturing (+9,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,200); Education and Health Services (+7,100); Leisure and Hospitality (+6,200); Government (+4,900); and Professional and Business Services (+100).
• Decreases were seen in Construction (-4,400); Information (-300); Financial Activities (-100); and Other Services (-100).

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 12,900 from February 2019 to March 2019 for a total of 2,163,300. This increase is typical as many private businesses increase hiring at the start of spring.

• Industries that saw growth were Leisure and Hospitality (+8,600); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,900); Government (+1,400); Education and Health Services (+1,300); Manufacturing (+1,200); Other Services (+1,100); and Mining and Logging (+200).
• Industries reporting losses were Professional and Business Services (-2,500); Construction          (-1,000); and Financial Activities (-300). The Information industry remained flat.

Since March 2018, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 32,000 overall in South Carolina.

• Industries marking strong annual gains were Manufacturing (+9,300); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+9,200); Education and Health Services (+7,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+6,400); Government (+4,300); Mining and Logging (+200); and Other Services (+100).
• Industries reporting declines were Construction (-4,400); Information (-500); and Financial Activities (-200).
• Professional and Business Services have remained stagnant over the year.

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.