MyBenefits
Apply for and certify your claim here.
Fri, 04/19/2019
The number of individuals working moved substantially higher, by an estimated 6,826 people, establishing a new record of 2,274,185.
Unemployment estimates increased over the month by 1,803 to 76,309 people. The state’s labor force increased by approximately 8,629 to 2,350,494 people.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.2 percent.
Since March of 2018, employment gains moved markedly higher by approximately 41,030 people, and the labor force estimate rose by nearly 32,396 people. The level of unemployed moved lower by roughly 8,634 people.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent.
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted, 1)
In March 2019, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls decreased by 2,100 over the month to a level of 2,170,000.
The decline was mostly due to downturns in the Professional and Business Services (-3,200); Financial Activities (-700); Leisure and Hospitality (-700); and Construction (-500) industries.
Industries reporting increases were Education and Health Services (+800); Manufacturing (+700); Other Services (+600); Government (+500); and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+200). Information remained constant.
From March 2018 to March 2019, South Carolina’s economy has added 31,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.
Industries marking growth were Manufacturing (+9,200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,200); Education and Health Services (+7,100); Leisure and Hospitality (+6,200); Government (+4,900); and Professional and Business Services (+100).
Decreases were seen in Construction (-4,400); Information (-300); Financial Activities (-100); and Other Services (-100).
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted, 2)
Not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 12,900 from February 2019 to March 2019 for a total of 2,163,300. This increase is typical as many private businesses increase hiring at the start of spring.
Industries that saw growth were Leisure and Hospitality (+8,600); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,900); Government (+1,400); Education and Health Services (+1,300); Manufacturing (+1,200); Other Services (+1,100); and Mining and Logging (+200).
Industries reporting losses were Professional and Business Services (-2,500); Construction (-1,000); and Financial Activities (-300). The Information industry remained flat.
Since March 2018, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 32,000 overall in South Carolina.
Industries marking strong annual gains were Manufacturing (+9,300); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+9,200); Education and Health Services (+7,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+6,400); Government (+4,300); Mining and Logging (+200); and Other Services (+100).
Industries reporting declines were Construction (-4,400); Information (-500); and Financial Activities (-200).
Professional and Business Services have remained stagnant over the year.
| 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. |
| Feb. to March 2019 | Feb. to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | ||||
| Area | March 2019 | Feb. 2019 | March 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Total Nonfarm Employment | 2,170,000 | 2,172,100 | 2,139,000 | -2,100 | -0.10 | 31,000 | 1.45 |
| Construction | 99,900 | 100,400 | 104,300 | -500 | -0.50 | -4,400 | -4.22 |
| Manufacturing | 255,100 | 254,400 | 245,900 | 700 | 0.27 | 9,200 | 3.74 |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 412,100 | 411,900 | 403,900 | 200 | 0.05 | 8,200 | 2.03 |
| Information | 27,800 | 27,800 | 28,100 | 0 | 0.00 | -300 | -1.07 |
| Finance Activities | 103,900 | 104,600 | 104,000 | -700 | -0.67 | -100 | -0.10 |
| Professional and Business Services | 293,400 | 296,600 | 293,300 | -3,200 | -1.09 | 100 | 0.03 |
| Education and Health Services | 257,800 | 257,000 | 250,700 | 800 | 0.31 | 7,100 | 2.83 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 266,500 | 267,200 | 260,300 | -700 | -0.26 | 6,200 | 2.38 |
| Other Services | 76,700 | 76,100 | 76,800 | 600 | 0.78 | -100 | -0.13 |
| Government | 372,200 | 371,700 | 367,300 | 500 | 0.13 | 4,900 | 1.33 |
| Feb. to March 2019 | Feb. to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | ||||
| Area | March 2019 | Feb. 2019 | March 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Total Nonfarm Employment | 2,163,300 | 2,150,400 | 2,131,300 | 12,900 | 0.60 | 32,000 | 1.50 |
| Mining and Logging | 4,600 | 4,400 | 4,400 | 200 | 4.55 | 200 | 4.55 |
| Construction | 99,500 | 100,500 | 103,900 | -1,000 | -1.00 | -4,400 | -4.23 |
| Manufacturing | 255,300 | 254,100 | 246,000 | 1,200 | 0.47 | 9,300 | 3.78 |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 408,900 | 406,000 | 399,700 | 2,900 | 0.71 | 9.200 | 2.30 |
| Information | 27,700 | 27,700 | 28,200 | 0 | 0.00 | -500 | -1.77 |
| Financial Activities | 103,100 | 103,400 | 103,300 | -300 | -0.29 | -200 | -0.19 |
| Professional and Business Services | 291,100 | 293,600 | 291,100 | -2,500 | -0.85 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Education and Health Services | 259,100 | 257,800 | 251,500 | 1,300 | 0.50 | 7,600 | 3.02 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 261,400 | 252,800 | 255,000 | 8,600 | 3.40 | 6,400 | 2.51 |
| Other Services | 77,100 | 76,000 | 77,000 | 1,100 | 1.45 | 100 | 0.13 |
| Government | 375,500 | 374,100 | 371,200 | 1,400 | 0.37 | 4,300 | 1.16 |
| Feb. to March 2019 | Feb. to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | ||||
| Area | March 2019 | Feb. 2019 | March 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Statewide | 2,170,000 | 2,172,100 | 2,139,000 | -2,100 | -0.10 | 31,000 | 1.45 |
| Charleston/North Charleston MSA | 370,200 | 370,700 | 363,300 | -500 | -0.14 | 6,900 | 1.90 |
| Columbia MSA | 403,300 | 403,000 | 400,300 | 300 | 0.07 | 3,000 | 0.75 |
| Florence MSA | 92,000 | 92,200 | 91,000 | -200 | -0.22 | 1,000 | 1.10 |
| Greenville/Anderson/Mauldin MSA | 430,200 | 432,800 | 425,200 | -2,600 | -0.60 | 5,000 | 1.18 |
| Hilton Head-Bluffton-Beaufort MSA | 84,100 | 83,800 | 81,200 | 300 | 0.36 | 2,900 | 3.57 |
| Myrtle Beach MSA | 178,500 | 178,000 | 170,800 | 500 | 0.28 | 7,700 | 4.51 |
| Spartanburg MSA | 161,000 | 160,600 | 158,100 | 400 | 0.25 | 2,900 | 1.83 |
| Sumter MSA | 40,800 | 40,800 | 40,100 | 0 | 0.00 | 700 | 1.75 |
Current month's estimates are preliminary. All data are subject to revision. 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.
| Feb. to March 2019 | Feb. to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | March 2018 to March 2019 | ||||
| Area | March 2019 | Feb. 2019 | March 2018 | # Change | % Change | # Change | % Change |
| Statewide | 2,163,300 | 2,150,400 | 2,131,300 | 12,900 | 0.60 | 32,000 | 1.50 |
| Charleston/North Charleston MSA | 369,100 | 367,000 | 362,400 | 2,100 | 0.57 | 6,700 | 1.85 |
| Columbia MSA | 403,000 | 400,900 | 398,900 | 2,100 | 0.52 | 4,100 | 1.03 |
| Florence MSA | 92,400 | 91,900 | 91,300 | 500 | 0.54 | 1,100 | 1.20 |
| Greenville MSA | 429,500 | 429,800 | 424,400 | -300 | -0.07 | 5,100 | 1.20 |
| Hilton Head-Bluffton-Beaufort MSA | 83,000 | 81,400 | 80,400 | 1,600 | 1.97 | 2,600 | 3.23 |
| Myrtle Beach MSA/Conway/N. Myrtle Beach MSA | 174,800 | 168,600 | 167,300 | 6,200 | 3.68 | 7,500 | 4.48 |
| Spartanburg MSA | 161,200 | 160,200 | 158,000 | 1,000 | 0.62 | 3,200 | 2.03 |
| Sumter MSA | 40,800 | 40,800 | 40,100 | 0 | 0.00 | 700 | 1.75 |
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 | March 2019 Employment | March 2019 Unemployment Level | March 2019 Unemployment Rate | Labor Force | Feb. 2019 Employment | Feb. 2019 Unemployment Level | Feb. 2019 Unemployment Rate | Labor Force | March 2018 Employment | March 2018 Unemployment Level | March 2018 Unemployment Rate |
| Allendale County |
Rate Up |
2,741 | 2,982 | 159 | 5.8 | 2,791 | 2,639 | 152 | 5.4 | 2,709 | 2,546 | 163 | 6.0 |
| Bamberg County | Rate Up | 4,920 | 4,636 | 284 | 5.8 | 4,982 | 4,707 | 275 | 5.5 | 4,963 | 4,663 | 300 | 6.0 |
| Marion County | Rate Down | 13,121 | 12,435 | 686 | 5.2 | 13,098 | 12,403 | 695 | 5.3 | 12,708 | 12,012 | 696 | 5.5 |
| Orangeburg County | Rate Up | 4,576 | 32,802 | 1,774 | 5.1 | 34,708 | 32,990 | 1,718 | 4.9 | 34,295 | 32,459 | 1,836 | 5.4 |
| Williamsburg County | Rate Up | 12,435 | 11,807 | 628 | 5.1 | 12,489 | 11,875 | 614 | 4.9 | 12,100 | 11,428 | 672 | 5.6 |
| Fairfield County | Rate Down | 9,789 | 9,301 | 488 | 5.0 | 9,776 | 9,278 | 498 | 5.1 | 9,819 | 9,147 | 672 | 6.8 |
| Barnwell County | Rate Up | 8,467 | 8,054 | 413 | 4.9 | 8,484 | 8,094 | 390 | 4.6 | 8,302 | 7,907 | 395 | 4.8 |
| Marlboro County | Rate Down | 9,252 | 8,798 | 454 | 4.9 | 9,662 | 8,822 | 840 | 8.7 | 9,076 | 8,610 | 466 | 5.1 |
| Dillon County | Rate Down | 12,784 | 12,184 | 600 | 4.7 | 13,067 | 12,349 | 718 | 5.5 | 12,530 | 11,955 | 575 | 4.6 |
| Chester County | Rate Up | 13,580 | 12,957 | 623 | 4.6 | 13,416 | 12,824 | 592 | 4.4 | 13,209 | 12,573 | 636 | 4.8 |
| Georgetown County | Same | 26,177 | 24,934 | 1,193 | 4.6 | 26,129 | 24,925 | 1,204 | 4.6 | 24,689 | 23,507 | 1,182 | 4.8 |
| Clarendon County | Rate Up | 12,658 | 12,101 | 557 | 4.4 | 12,806 | 12,259 | 547 | 4.3 | 12,303 | 11,719 | 584 | 4.7 |
| Horry County | Rate Down | 149,037 | 142,633 | 6,404 | 4.3 | 144,468 | 137,696 | 6,772 | 4.7 | 142,214 | 136,004 | 6,210 | 4.4 |
| Lee County | Rate Up | 6,647 | 6,376 | 271 | 4.1 | 6,680 | 6,420 | 260 | 3.9 | 6,522 | 6,209 | 313 | 4.8 |
| Calhoun County | Rate Up | 6,721 | 6,453 | 268 | 4.0 | 6,721 | 6,462 | 259 | 3.9 | 6,604 | 6,348 | 256 | 3.9 |
| Lancaster County | Rate Up | 40,564 | 38,958 | 1,606 | 4.0 | 40,074 | 38,541 | 1,533 | 3.8 | 39,302 | 37,810 | 1,492 | 3.8 |
| Union County | Rate Up | 11,287 | 11,415 | 472 | 4.0 | 11,777 | 11,319 | 458 | 3.9 | 11,605 | 11,120 | 485 | 4.2 |
| Abbeville County | Rate Up | 10,204 | 9,818 | 386 | 3.8 | 10,175 | 9,806 | 369 | 3.6 | 9,997 | 9,607 | 390 | 3.9 |
| Darlington County | Rate Down | 30,577 | 29,410 | 1,167 | 3.8 | 30,582 | 29,387 | 1,195 | 3.9 | 30,030 | 28,839 | 1,191 | 4.0 |
| Sumter County | Rate Up | 44,985 | 43,272 | 1,713 | 3.8 | 44,793 | 43,174 | 1,619 | 3.6 | 44,009 | 42,185 | 1,824 | 4.1 |
| Colleton County | Rate Up | 16,963 | 16,333 | 630 | 3.7 | 17,004 | 16,397 | 607 | 3.6 | 16,553 | 15,857 | 696 | 4.2 |
| McCormick County | Rate Up | 3,482 | 3,353 | 129 | 3.7 | 3,482 | 3,359 | 123 | 3.5 | 3,367 | 3,250 | 117 | 3.5 |
| Greenwood County | Rate Up | 31,407 | 30,275 | 1,132 | 3.6 | 31,360 | 30,285 | 1,075 | 3.4 | 30,740 | 29,615 | 1,125 | 3.7 |
| Florence County | Rate Up | 67,317 | 64,987 | 2,330 | 3.5 | 66,946 | 64,659 | 2,287 | 3.4 | 66,116 | 63,728 | 2,388 | 3.6 |
| Aiken County | Rate Up | 7,508 | 73,004 | 2,604 | 3.4 | 75,539 | 73,130 | 2,409 | 3.2 | 73,918 | 71,436 | 2,482 | 3.4 |
| Cherokee County | Rate Up | 25,750 | 24,862 | 888 | 3.4 | 25,568 | 24,742 | 826 | 3.2 | 25,124 | 24,237 | 887 | 3.5 |
| Chesterfield County | Same | 22,237 | 21,488 | 749 | 3.4 | 22,354 | 21,595 | 759 | 3.4 | 21,795 | 21,092 | 703 | 3.2 |
| Laurens County | Rate Up | 30,421 | 29,373 | 1,048 | 3.4 | 30,407 | 29,393 | 1,014 | 3.3 | 29,917 | 28,833 | 1,084 | 3.6 |
| Edgefield County | Rate Up | 10,687 | 10,338 | 349 | 3.3 | 10,789 | 10,457 | 332 | 3.1 | 10,517 | 10,129 | 388 | 3.7 |
| Kershaw County | Rate Up | 29,243 | 28,270 | 973 | 3.3 | 29,121 | 28,180 | 941 | 3.2 | 28,809 | 27,800 | 1,009 | 3.5 |
| Richland County | Rate Up | 199,258 | 193,342 | 6,516 | 3.3 | 197,602 | 191,403 | 6,199 | 3.1 | 196,778 | 190,013 | 6,765 | 3.4 |
| Saluda County | Rate Up | 8,819 | 8,528 | 291 | 3.3 | 9,002 | 8,734 | 268 | 3.0 | 8,679 | 8,402 | 277 | 3.2 |
| Anderson County | Rate Up | 91,442 | 88,546 | 2,896 | 3.2 | 91,104 | 88,353 | 2,751 | 3.0 | 89,799 | 86,888 | 2,911 | 3.2 |
| Hampton County | Rate Up | 8,235 | 7,970 | 265 | 3.2 | 8,314 | 8,058 | 256 | 3.1 | 8,136 | 7,841 | 295 | 3.6 |
| Pickens County | Rate Up | 57,410 | 55,572 | 1,838 | 3.2 | 57,157 | 55,436 | 1,721 | 3.0 | 56,426 | 54,537 | 1,889 | 3.3 |
| York County | Rate Up | 138,064 | 133,615 | 4,469 | 3.2 | 136,116 | 131,890 | 4,226 | 3.1 | 134,089 | 129,654 | 4,435 | 3.3 |
| Beaufort County | Same | 76,982 | 74,562 | 2,420 | 3.1 | 75,770 | 73,442 | 2,328 | 3.1 | 74,394 | 71,936 | 2,458 | 3.3 |
| Oconee County | Same | 35,587 | 34,469 | 1,118 | 3.1 | 35,673 | 34,583 | 1,090 | 3.1 | 34,129 | 32,957 | 1,172 | 3.4 |
| Berkeley County | Rate Up | 103,128 | 100,006 | 3,122 | 3.0 | 101,956 | 98,993 | 2,963 | 2.9 | 100,667 | 97,585 | 3,082 | 3.1 |
| Dorchester County | Rate Up | 76,528 | 74,230 | 2,296 | 3.0 | 75,720 | 73,538 | 2,182 | 2.9 | 74,715 | 72,444 | 2,271 | 3.0 |
| Jasper County | Same | 12,436 | 12,060 | 376 | 3.0 | 12,347 | 11,982 | 365 | 3.0 | 12,045 | 11,670 | 375 | 3.1 |
| Newberry County | Rate Up | 18,714 | 18,147 | 567 | 3.0 | 18,937 | 18,387 | 550 | 2.9 | 18,484 | 17,900 | 584 | 3.2 |
| Greenville County | Rate Up | 254,160 | 246,779 | 7,381 | 2.9 | 253,111 | 246,046 | 7,065 | 2.8 | 249,453 | 242,142 | 7,311 | 2.9 |
| Spartanburg County | Rate Up | 151,494 | 147,386 | 4,448 | 2.9 | 150,262 | 146,014 | 4,248 | 2.8 | 148,118 | 143,530 | 4,588 | 3.1 |
| Charleston County | Rate Up | 210,292 | 204,462 | 5,830 | 2.8 | 208,460 | 202,925 | 5,535 | 2.7 | 205,395 | 199,653 | 5,742 | 2.8 |
| Lexington County | Rate Up | 149,335 | 145,175 | 4,160 | 2.8 | 148,289 | 144,354 | 3,935 | 2.7 | 147,023 | 142,742 | 4,281 | 2.9 |
| Charleston - North Charleston MSA |
Rate Up | 329,946 | 378,698 | 11,248 | 2.9 | 386,136 | 375,456 | 10,680 | 2.8 | 380,777 | 369,682 | 11,095 | 2.9 |
| Columbia MSA | Rate Up | 403,765 | 391,069 | 12,696 | 3.1 | 400,511 | 388,411 | 12,100 | 3.0 | 397,712 | 384,452 | 13,260 | 3.3 |
| Florence MSA | Same | 97,894 | 94,397 | 3,497 | 3.6 | 97,528 | 94,046 | 3,482 | 3.6 | 96,146 | 92,567 | 3,579 | 3.7 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin MSA | Rate Up | 433,433 | 420,270 | 13,163 | 3.0 | 431,779 | 419,228 | 12,551 | 2.9 | 425,595 | 412,400 | 13,195 | 3.1 |
| SEASONALLY ADJUSTED South Carolina | Same | 2,350,494 | 2,274,185 | 76,309 | 3.2 | 2,341,865 | 2,267,359 | 74,506 | 3.2 | 2,318,098 | 2,233,155 | 84,943 | 3.7 |