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South Carolina Employment Growth, October 2023 to October 2024

South Carolina Employment Growth, October 2023 to October 2024

By Lainey Stalnaker, Data Analytics Writer

Employee in Hard Hat

Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases employment data for each state and metropolitan statistical area (MSA).[1] From October 2023 to October 2024, South Carolina added 61,000 jobs, a 2.6 percent annual increase. This was the third highest increase in the nation reported during that period. Idaho took first place with an increase of 3.2 percent, followed by Missouri at 2.8 percent.

Three MSAs in South Carolina were in the top fifteen in the nation for percent growth. Florence saw a 3.7 percent increase in employment over the year—the highest in the state and the seventh highest in the nation. Charleston-North Charleston was tenth in the nation with a 3.4 percent increase, adding a total of 14.4 thousand jobs. Sumter was fourteenth in the nation, increasing 3.1 percent over the year. Outside of the nation’s top fifteen, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort increased employment by 2.5 percent, Spartanburg recorded a 2.2 percent increase, and Columbia increased 1.9 percent through an addition of 8.3 thousand jobs. Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin increased its employment by just 0.7 percent, and Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach was the only MSA in the state to not record a change in employment over the year. No MSAs In South Carolina saw a decrease in nonfarm payroll employment. See the figure below for a breakdown of changes in employment by MSA.

Percent Change in Nonfarm Payroll Employment, Oct 2023-Oct 2024

These data points reflect vibrant and growing economic activity with positive trends for jobseekers to find meaningful, well-paying South Carolina jobs.

[1]https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm