Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd’s Statement

July 2024 Employment Situation

Columbia, S.C. – “For the fifth consecutive month, South Carolina continues setting record-breaking numbers as more people are working than ever before. As of July, the number of individuals employed in the state is 2,415,142, an increase of 4,983 compared to the prior month. The total labor force is also up by 13,044 people to 2,512,921 with a positive uptick in the labor force participation rate from 57.3% in June to this month’s number of 57.5%. The number of payroll jobs reported by employers is also up to 2,390,800 from last month’s 2,382,400,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd. “These record-setting numbers are on trend with national numbers which have seen an increase in both employment and unemployment in recent months. South Carolina’s July unemployment rate moved up to 3.9%, which remains lower than the national rate of 4.3%.”

“Even with the expansion of the number of people employed in South Carolina, there are thousands of job openings available. During September’s Workforce Development Month, our agency highlights multiple ways for jobseekers to connect with job openings using programs and services that DEW and our workforce partners offer throughout the year. To learn more about services like resume assistance, virtual or in-person job fairs and hiring events, our SC@Work Rural Connections outreach program, or training to reinforce soft skills or other job skills, please visit an SC Works Center, connect with us through the Virtual Engagement Center, or look for jobs and upload your resume to SC Works Online Services,” concluded Floyd.