MyBenefits
Apply for and certify your claim here.
Fri, 06/21/2019
South Carolina’s Employment Situation
May 2019
Number of South Carolinians Working Remains at All Time High
Payroll Employment Increases Set Another New Record
Employment: The monthly survey of households across the state estimated the number of South Carolinians working moved significantly higher, establishing a new record of 2,286,079.
That is an increase of 5,253 people since April.
That is also an increase of 47,435 people since May 2018.
Unemployment: Unemployment estimates from the household survey increased over the month to 82,645 people.
That is an increase of 3,550 people since April.
With that increase, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate moved upward to 3.5 percent (from April’s 3.4 percent) as more people looked for work.
Additionally, the level of unemployment moved higher by approximately 3,299 people over May 2018.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6 percent from April’s estimate.
Labor force: The state’s estimated labor force (people working plus unemployed people who are looking for work) increased to 2,368,724 people.
That increase continues an upward trend for the fifth consecutive month.
That is an increase of 8,803 people since April.
That is an increase of 50,734 individuals over May of 2018.
Nonagricultural Payroll Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
The Current Employment Survey of businesses in South Carolina marked an increase of 1,100 nonfarm payrolls jobs over the month to a record high level of 2,179,300.
Industries reporting increases in employment were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (+1,300); Manufacturing (+800); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+400); Financial Activities (+400); Construction (+300); Education and Health Services (+200); and Government (+200). Information remained steady.
Decreases were noticed in the Professional and Business Services (-2,300) and Other Services (-200) industries.
From May 2018 to May 2019, South Carolina’s economy has added 40,900 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.
Industries marking strong growth were Leisure and Hospitality (+12,000); Manufacturing (+8,900); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,100); Education and Health Services (+7,300); Government (+5,100); Financial Activities (+1,400); Professional and Business Services (+1,100); and Other Services (+500).
Decreases were seen in Construction (-3,100) and Information (-400).
Nonagricultural Payroll Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted2)
Not seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 9,700 from April 2019 to May 2019, for a total of 2,189,600. Growth was concentrated in the service providing industries. The most prominent gain was in Leisure and Hospitality (+6,700).
Industries that saw steady movement were Financial Activities (+1,800); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,300); Construction (+1,200); Manufacturing (+900); and Information (+100). Meanwhile, Mining and Logging industry remained flat.
Industries reporting declines were Education and Health Services (-900); Government (-800); Other Services (-500); and Professional and Business Services (-100).
Since May 2018, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 33,400 overall in South Carolina.
Industries marking strong annual gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+11,900); Manufacturing (+9,100); Education and Health Services (+6,600); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+5,800); Government (+4,800); and Financial Activities (+1,300). Mining and Logging remained the same.
Industries reporting declines were Construction (-3,100); Professional and Business Services (-2,300); Information (-600); and Other Services (-100).
| Note | Explanation |
|---|---|
| (1) | Seasonal adjustment removes the effects of events that follow a more or less regular pattern each year (i.e. tourist-related hiring and school closings in the summer). These adjustments make it easier to observe the cyclical and other nonseasonal movements in data over time. |
| (2) | Not Seasonally Adjusted: Effects of regular or seasonal patterns have not been removed from these data. |
| April to May 2019 | April to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | May 2019 | April 2019 | May 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Total Nonfarm Employment | 2,179,300 | 2,178,200 | 2,138,400 | 1,100 | 0.05 | 40,900 | 1.91 |
| Construction | 100,400 | 100,100 | 103,500 | 300 | 0.30 | -3,100 | -3.00 |
| Manufacturing | 256,200 | 255,400 | 247,300 | 800 | 0.31 | 8,900 | 3.60 |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 413,100 | 412,700 | 405,000 | 400 | 0.10 | 8,100 | 2.0 |
| Information | 27,600 | 27,600 | 28,000 | 0 | 0.00 | -400 | -1.43 |
| Finance Activities | 104,700 | 104,300 | 103,300 | 400 | 0.38 | 1,400 | 1.36 |
| Professional and Business Services | 294,400 | 296,700 | 293,300 | -2,300 | -0.78 | 1,100 | 0.38 |
| Education and Health Services | 258,400 | 258,200 | 251,100 | 200 | 0.08 | 7,300 | 2.91 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 269,100 | 267,800 | 257,100 | 1,300 | 0.48 | 12,000 | 4.67 |
| Other Services | 77,500 | 77,700 | 77,000 | -200 | -0.26 | 500 | 0.65 |
| Government | 373,400 | 373,200 | 368,300 | 200 | 0.05 | 5,100 | 1.38 |
| April to May 2019 | April to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | May 2019 | April 2019 | May 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Total Nonfarm Employment | 2,189,600 | 2,179,900 | 2,156,200 | 9,700 | 0.44 | 33,400 | 1.55 |
| Mining and Logging | 4,500 | 4,500 | 4,500 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Construction | 101,000 | 99,800 | 104,100 | 1,200 | 1.20 | -3,100 | -2.98 |
| Manufacturing | 256,400 | 255,500 | 247,300 | 900 | 0.35 | 9,100 | 3.68 |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 411,000 | 409,700 | 405,200 | 1,300 | 0.32 | 5,800 | 1.43 |
| Information | 27,600 | 27,500 | 28,200 | 100 | 0.36 | -600 | -2.13 |
| Financial Activities | 105,100 | 103,300 | 103,800 | 1,800 | 1.74 | 1,300 | 1.25 |
| Professional and Business Services | 293,700 | 293,800 | 296,000 | -100 | -0.03 | 2,300 | -0.78 |
| Education and Health Services | 258,200 | 259,100 | 251,600 | -900 | -0.35 | 6,600 | 2.62 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 278,400 | 271,700 | 266,500 | 6,700 | 2.47 | 11,900 | 4.47 |
| Other Services | 77,400 | 77,900 | 77,500 | -500 | -0.64 | -100 | -0.13 |
| Government | 376,300 | 377,100 | 371,500 | -800 | -0.21 | 4,800 | 1.29 |
| April to May 2019 | April to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | May 2019 | April 2019 | May 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Statewide | 2,179,300 | 2,178,200 | 2,138,400 | 1,100 | 0.05 | 40,900 | 1.91 |
| Charleston/North Charleston MSA | 372,700 | 372,300 | 363,200 | 400 | 0.11 | 9,500 | 2.62 |
| Columbia MSA | 403,700 | 402,700 | 400,600 | 1,000 | 0.25 | 3,100 | 0.77 |
| Florence MSA | 92,300 | 92,400 | 91,100 | -100 | -0.11 | 1,200 | 1.32 |
| Greenville/Anderson/Mauldin MSA | 429,600 | 429,700 | 425,000 | -100 | -0.02 | 4,600 | 1.08 |
| Hilton Head-Bluffton-Beaufort MSA | 84,200 | 84,000 | 81,800 | 200 | 0.24 | 2,400 | 2.93 |
| Myrtle Beach MSA | 179,500 | 178,500 | 171,700 | 1,000 | 0.56 | 7,800 | 4.54 |
| Spartanburg MSA | 161,800 | 161,300 | 158,300 | 500 | 0.31 | 3,500 | 2.21 |
| Sumter MSA | 40,900 | 40,900 | 40,200 | 0 | 0.00 | 700 | 1.74 |
Note: Employment estimates have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Sum of detail may not equal totals due to rounding or the exclusion of certain industries from publication. All data are subject to revision.
| April to May 2019 | April to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | May 2018 to May 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | May 2019 | April 2019 | May 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Statewide | 2,189,600 | 2,179,900 | 2,156,200 | 9,700 | 0.44 | 33,400 | 1.55 |
| Charleston/North Charleston MSA | 374,800 | 371,800 | 366,200 | 3,000 | 0.81 | 8,600 | 2.35 |
| Columbia MSA | 405,200 | 402,500 | 401,700 | 2,700 | 0.67 | 3,500 | 0.87 |
| Florence MSA | 93,100 | 92,900 | 91,800 | 200 | 0.22 | 1,300 | 1.42 |
| Greenville MSA | 432,000 | 429,800 | 427,000 | 2,200 | 0.51 | 5,000 | 1.17 |
| Hilton Head-Bluffton-Beaufort MSA | 85,800 | 84,600 | 83,300 | 1,200 | 1.42 | 2,500 | 3.00 |
| Myrtle Beach MSA/Conway/N. Myrtle Beach MSA | 184,400 | 180,400 | 177,100 | 4,000 | 2.22 | 7,300 | 4.12 |
| Spartanburg MSA | 162,200 | 161,800 | 159,000 | 400 | 0.25 | 3,200 | 2.01 |
| Sumter MSA | 41,200 | 41,100 | 40,400 | 100 | 0.24 | 800 | 1.98 |
Note: Employment estimates have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Sum of detail may not equal totals due to rounding or the exclusion of certain industries from publication. All data are subject to revision.
| Area | Rate Up/Rate Down/Same | Labor Force | May 2019 Employment | May 2019 Unemployment Level | May 2019 Unemployment Rate | Labor Force | April 2019 Employment | April 2019 Unemployment Level | April 2019 Unemployment Rate | Labor Force | May 2018 Employment | May 2018 Unemployment Level | May 2018 Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamberg County |
Rate Up |
5,060 | 4,740 | 320 | 6.3 | 4,997 | 4,741 | 256 | 5.1 | 4,925 | 4,667 | 258 | 5.2 |
| Allendale County | Rate Up | 2,826 | 2,664 | 162 | 5.7 | 2,805 | 2,650 | 155 | 5.5 | 2,732 | 2,601 | 131 | 4.8 |
| Marlboro County | Rate Up | 9,324 | 8,851 | 473 | 5.1 | 9,353 | 8,934 | 419 | 4.5 | 9,001 | 8,629 | 372 | 4.1 |
| Orangeburg County | Rate Up | 34,917 | 33,146 | 1,771 | 5.1 | 34,861 | 33,274 | 1,587 | 4.6 | 34,189 | 32,689 | 1,500 | 4.4 |
| Barnwell County | Rate Down | 8,535 | 8,118 | 417 | 4.9 | 8,578 | 8,198 | 380 | 4.4 | 8,230 | 7,905 | 325 | 3.9 |
| Fairfield County | Rate Up | 9,865 | 9,379 | 486 | 4.9 | 9,744 | 9,303 | 441 | 4.5 | 9,721 | 9,214 | 507 | 5.2 |
| Williamsburg County | Rate Up | 12,542 | 11,939 | 603 | 4.8 | 12,545 | 11,991 | 554 | 4.4 | 12,174 | 11,628 | 546 | 4.5 |
| Chester County | Rate Up | 13,753 | 13,114 | 639 | 4.6 | 13,644 | 13,053 | 591 | 4.3 | 13,225 | 12,703 | 522 | 3.9 |
| Dillon County | Rate Up | 13,045 | 12,447 | 598 | 4.6 | 12,976 | 12,428 | 548 | 4.2 | 12,597 | 12,111 | 486 | 3.9 |
| Marion County | Rate Up | 13,282 | 12,665 | 617 | 4.6 | 13,264 | 12,652 | 612 | 4.6 | 12,903 | 12,318 | 585 | 4.5 |
| Clarendon County | Rate Up | 12,926 | 12,343 | 583 | 4.5 | 12,818 | 12,317 | 501 | 3.9 | 12,545 | 12,052 | 493 | 3.9 |
| Lee County | Rate Up | 6,761 | 6,476 | 285 | 4.2 | 6,718 | 6,463 | 255 | 3.8 | 6,537 | 6,278 | 259 | 4.0 |
| Georgetown County | Rate Up | 26,557 | 25,479 | 1,078 | 4.1 | 26,478 | 25,427 | 1,051 | 4.0 | 25,513 | 24,590 | 923 | 3.6 |
| Union County | Rate Up | 11,897 | 11,413 | 484 | 4.1 | 11,855 | 11,424 | 431 | 3.6 | 11,542 | 11,154 | 388 | 3.4 |
| Darlington County | Rate Up | 30,966 | 29,729 | 1,237 | 4.0 | 30,731 | 29,643 | 1,088 | 3.5 | 30,031 | 29,036 | 995 | 3.3 |
| Abbeville County | Rate Up | 10,211 | 9,817 | 394 | 3.9 | 10,246 | 9,913 | 333 | 3.3 | 10,012 | 9,683 | 329 | 3.3 |
| Calhoun County | Rate Up | 6,803 | 6,537 | 266 | 3.9 | 6,709 | 6,464 | 245 | 3.7 | 6,640 | 6,415 | 225 | 3.4 |
| Lancaster County | Rate Up | 40,973 | 39,386 | 1,587 | 3.9 | 40,659 | 39,206 | 1,453 | 3.6 | 39,440 | 38,194 | 1,246 | 3.2 |
| Horry County | Rate Up | 155,349 | 149,516 | 5,833 | 3.8 | 152,305 | 146,769 | 5,536 | 3.6 | 147,929 | 143,095 | 4,834 | 3.3 |
| Sumter County | Rate Up | 45,202 | 43,473 | 1,729 | 3.8 | 45,057 | 43,515 | 1,542 | 3.4 | 43,870 | 42,387 | 1,483 | 3.4 |
| Colleton County | Rate Up | 17,154 | 16,526 | 628 | 3.7 | 17,105 | 16,537 | 568 | 3.3 | 16,667 | 16,105 | 562 | 3.4 |
| Greenwood County | Rate Up | 31,525 | 30,354 | 1,171 | 3.7 | 31,654 | 30,626 | 1,028 | 3.2 | 30,808 | 29,884 | 924 | 3.0 |
| Cherokee County | Rate Up | 25,735 | 24,819 | 916 | 3.6 | 25,879 | 25,099 | 780 | 3.0 | 24,899 | 24,150 | 749 | 3.0 |
| Aiken County | Rate Up | 75,787 | 73,103 | 2,684 | 3.5 | 76,860 | 74,495 | 2,365 | 3.1 | 73,780 | 71,713 | 2,067 | 2.8 |
| Florence County | Rate Up | 67,632 | 65,295 | 2,337 | 3.5 | 67,369 | 65,291 | 2,078 | 3.1 | 65,971 | 63,965 | 2,006 | 3.0 |
| Laurens County | Rate Up | 30,587 | 29,506 | 1,081 | 3.5 | 30,311 | 29,374 | 937 | 3.1 | 29,880 | 28,977 | 903 | 3.0 |
| Kershaw County | Rate Up | 29,481 | 28,488 | 993 | 3.4 | 29,128 | 28,267 | 861 | 3.0 | 28,854 | 27,994 | 860 | 3.0 |
| Pickens County | Rate Up | 57,554 | 55,601 | 1,953 | 3.4 | 57,078 | 55,481 | 1,597 | 2.8 | 56,268 | 54,680 | 1,588 | 2.8 |
| Chesterfield County | Rate Up | 22,524 | 21,777 | 747 | 3.3 | 22,456 | 21,793 | 663 | 3.0 | 21,933 | 21,333 | 600 | 2.7 |
| Edgefield County | Rate Up | 10,837 | 10,477 | 361 | 3.3 | 10,903 | 10,587 | 316 | 2.9 | 10,552 | 10,244 | 308 | 2.9 |
| McCormick County | Rate Up | 3,476 | 3,361 | 115 | 3.3 | 3,507 | 3,399 | 108 | 3.1 | 3,382 | 3,284 | 98 | 2.9 |
| Richland County | Rate Up | 199,887 | 193,231 | 6,656 | 3.3 | 198,489 | 192,711 | 5,778 | 2.9 | 196,046 | 190,354 | 5,692 | 2.9 |
| Anderson County | Rate Up | 91,616 | 88,645 | 2,971 | 3.2 | 90,979 | 88,452 | 2,527 | 2.8 | 89,569 | 87,128 | 2.441 | 2.7 |
| Beaufort County | Rate Up | 79,399 | 76,889 | 2,510 | 3.2 | 78,013 | 75,863 | 2,150 | 2.8 | 76,260 | 74,250 | 2,010 | 2.6 |
| Hampton County | Rate Up | 8,525 | 8,251 | 274 | 3.2 | 8,405 | 8,169 | 236 | 2.8 | 8,286 | 8,049 | 237 | 2.9 |
| Oconee County | Rate Up | 35,849 | 34,689 | 1,160 | 3.2 | 35,864 | 34,856 | 1,008 | 2.8 | 35,034 | 34,092 | 942 | 2.7 |
| York County | Rate Up | 139,220 | 134,704 | 4,516 | 3.2 | 138,323 | 134,297 | 4,026 | 2.9 | 134,438 | 130,766 | 3,672 | 2.7 |
| Newberry County | Rate Up | 19,156 | 18,554 | 602 | 3.1 | 18,972 | 18,465 | 507 | 2.7 | 18,621 | 18,137 | 484 | 2.6 |
| Saluda County | Rate Up | 9,171 | 8,886 | 285 | 3.1 | 8,898 | 8,647 | 251 | 2.8 | 8,862 | 8,632 | 230 | 2.6 |
| Berkeley County | Rate Up | 104,025 | 100,860 | 3,165 | 3.0 | 103,302 | 100,516 | 2,786 | 2.7 | 100,524 | 97,967 | 2,557 | 2.5 |
| Dorchester County | Rate Up | 77,258 | 74,928 | 2,330 | 3.0 | 76,642 | 74,626 | 2,016 | 2.6 | 74,645 | 72,771 | 1,874 | 2.5 |
| Jasper County | Rate Up | 12,894 | 12,503 | 391 | 3.0 | 12,604 | 12,262 | 342 | 2.7 | 12,406 | 12,098 | 308 | 2.5 |
| Spartanburg County | Rate Up | 151,841 | 147,229 | 4,612 | 3.0 | 151,463 | 147,470 | 3,993 | 2.6 | 147,659 | 143,874 | 3,785 | 2.6 |
| Greenville County | Rate Up | 254,298 | 246,811 | 7,487 | 2.9 | 252,896 | 246,423 | 6,473 | 2.6 | 248,765 | 242,657 | 6,108 | 2.5 |
| Charleston County | Rate Up | 212,519 | 206,654 | 5,865 | 2.8 | 210,651 | 205,503 | 5,148 | 2.4 | 205,566 | 200,847 | 4,719 | 2.3 |
| Lexington County | Rate Up | 150,065 | 145,828 | 4,237 | 2.8 | 149,648 | 144,951 | 3,697 | 2.5 | 147,057 | 143,477 | 3,580 | 2.4 |
| Charleston - North Charleston MSA |
Rate Up | 393,802 | 382,442 | 11,360 | 2.9 | 390,595 | 380,645 | 9,950 | 2.5 | 380,735 | 371,585 | 9,150 | 2.4 |
| Columbia MSA | Rate Up | 405,272 | 392,349 | 12,923 | 3.2 | 401,416 | 390,343 | 11,273 | 2.8 | 397,180 | 386,086 | 11,094 | 2.8 |
| Florence MSA | Rate Up | 98,598 | 95,024 | 3,574 | 3.6 | 98,100 | 94,934 | 3,166 | 3.2 | 96,002 | 93,001 | 3,001 | 3.1 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin MSA | Rate Up | 434,055 | 420,563 | 13,492 | 3.1 | 431,264 | 419,730 | 11,534 | 2.7 | 424,482 | 413,442 | 11,040 | 2.6 |
| SEASONALLY ADJUSTED South Carolina | Rate Up | 2,368,724 | 2,286,079 | 82,645 | 3.5 | 2,359,921 | 2,280,826 | 79,095 | 3.4 | 2,317,990 | 2,238,644 | 79,346 | 3.4 |
Current month's estimates are preliminary. All data are subject to revision.