Employment and unemployment numbers grow in South Carolina

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The number of working people continues to climb in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce says the department’s numbers show another 5,136 people were working in November compared to the October estimate, even as the unemployment figure increased.

“As we close out the year, South Carolina’s economic growth continues as the state hits another record-setting month of 2,398,350 individuals working. That number is up more than 5,000 from October and is a significant increase of more than 104,000 people since November 2022,” DEW Executive Director William Floyd said in a statement when the numbers were released. “While the unemployment rate edged up slightly to 3% from October’s number of 2.9%, we saw more people joining the labor force month-over-month, indicating that people are entering the workforce and finding jobs. And pay remains competitive as average hourly earnings are now at $30.48.”

The estimate of unemployed people — that’s people who do not have a job but are looking for one —  increased to 73,346, according to the DEW report, up 1,473 people over the October estimate but a decrease of 4,111 from November 2022.  DEW estimates the state’s labor force, which includes all employed and unemployed persons, to be 2,471,696, which is almost 7,000 more than the October estimate and 100,589 more than the November 2022 estimate.

Job gains were seen in several sectors, the largest gainer being leisure and hospitality, which grew by 3,800 jobs in November. Education and health services were up by 1,900, with growth also in construction, government and professional and business services. Trade, transportation and utilities lost 1,100 jobs and the manufacturing sector had a net loss of 200 positions, but Floyd said those losses will be made up with anticipated growth in manufacturing.

“Economic development in the state remains strong as evidenced by recent announcements in Sumter and Florence with employers who will provide hundreds of additional jobs,” Floyd said in the release. “If you are a job seeker, contacting a representative in an SC Works center is a great way to network with local employers and find your next job. If you are an employer, our business services team is available to help you optimize your hiring as we enter the new year.”