Wells Fargo Economic Report shows strong employment growth in South Carolina

A new Wells Fargo economic report, State Labor Markets Simmer in Q1, finds that state unemployment rate movements were mixed at the start of 2025, although payrolls in South Carolina rose 2.3% on a year-to-year basis, which was among the strongest in the country.

According to the report, employment appears to be leveling off in Georgia, although the state posted a slightly negative annualized payroll contraction in Q1. Across the country, momentum is downshifting, with 17 states, including Georgia and the District of Columbia, posting flat or negative job growth in Q1.