South Carolina has 2-to-1 unemployment vs. demand ratio

COLUMBIA, S.C. – While South Carolina experienced a slight increase in its unemployment rate to 4.1 percent in December 2017, it also saw an increase in the number of available jobs.

The number of job openings rose 2,593 from November to December, according to the Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online report. Statewide, the unemployment vs. demand, or labor supply, ratio remained at 2-to-1 from November to December, with 96,434 people unemployed and 62,795 job openings.

Labor demand in the Trident Workforce Area – Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties – was greatest with 10,855 job openings posted. The Midlands Workforce Area – Fairfield Lexington and Richland counties – followed with 9,976 job openings. Both workforce areas had a 1-to-1 labor supply ratio.

Of all the job openings in South Carolina, Registered Nurses had the highest number of openings in December with 4,533, followed by Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck drivers reporting 3,873 jobs available. Rounding out the top five occupations with the most job openings were Retail Salespersons with 1,560, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers with 1,419 and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers with 1,133.