South Carolina’s Employment Situation – December 2017

S.C businesses add jobs; unemployment rate inches up

South Carolina businesses continued to add jobs in December to a new record level with the Hospitality and Tourism and Construction sectors leading the way.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 4.1 percent in December from November’s rate of 4 percent.

The number of individuals working across the state decreased by 5,104 people to 2,227,542, while the number of unemployed individuals increased by 3,708 to 96,434. The state’s labor force decreased by 1,396 to an estimated 2,323,976 people.

Since December 2016, the labor force has grown by 25,889 people, and employment gains totaled nearly 27,680. The level of unemployed people decreased by 1,791.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged, remaining at 4.1 percent in December.

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SCDEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement:

“While businesses continue to add jobs at a record pace, which is cause for celebration, we want to ensure that all South Carolinians are able to take advantage of the opportunities being provided. With nearly 63,000 jobs available across the state, DEW is preparing our residents, including those with barriers to employment, to be able to succeed in those jobs,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “Recently, the State Workforce Development Board provided grants to help out-of-school youths ages 16 to 24 develop the skills necessary to gain employment and by removing the barriers that are keeping them back.” 

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Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted¹)

December 2017 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 2,900 over the month to a record level of 2,117,200.

• The state’s job count rose in Leisure and Hospitality (+5,800); Construction (+2,200); Education and Health Services (+600); Manufacturing (+400); and Other Services (+100).
• Industries recording job losses during the same month were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-3,400); Professional and Business Services (-2,300); Government (-200); Information (-100); and Financial Activities (-100).

 From December 2016 to December 2017, South Carolina’s economy has added 46,500 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs.

• Industries reporting gains were Professional and Business Services (+11,800); Manufacturing (+9,300); Education and Health Services (+7,100); Leisure and Hospitality (+6,300); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,200); Government (+3,300); Construction (+2,500); Other Services (+2,100); and Financial Activities (+1,000).
• Declines were reported in Information (-1,100).

 

Nonfarm Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted²)

Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,400 from November 2017 to December 2017 for a total of 2,120,700.

• Construction (+1,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,100); Manufacturing (+900); Education and Health Services (+600) and Other Services (+300) added jobs during the month.
• Information remained the same.
• Industries showing declines during the month were Professional and Business Services (-2,800); Leisure and Hospitality (-2,000); Government (-700); Financial Activities (-100); and Mining and Logging (-100).

 Since December 2016, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 39,300 overall in South Carolina.

• Industries marking annual gains were Professional and Business Services (+9,200); Manufacturing (+8,900); Education and Health Services (+7,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+4,700); Government (+3,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,600); Construction (+2,200); Other Services (+1,500); and Financial Activities (+700).
• Mining and Logging held steady.
• Decreases occurred in the Information (-1,100) sector.

 

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.