Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
South Carolina's nonfarm employment reached about 2.35 million jobs in 2024.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SCNA).
- •South Carolina's manufacturing employment has grown faster than the national average over the past decade, led by automotive and aerospace suppliers.
Unemployment
South Carolina's unemployment rate was about 4.4% in 2024, slightly above the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED SCUR).
| Indicator | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4 | 4 |
- •South Carolina's unemployment rate hit a record low near 2.9% in 2022 before edging back up in subsequent years.
Labor Force
South Carolina's civilian labor force totaled about 2.55 million in 2024, with a participation rate near 58%.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED SCLF).
| Indicator | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Force Participation Rate | 58 | 62.5 |
- •South Carolina's retiree in-migration has slightly lowered its overall labor force participation rate compared with faster-growing working-age states.
Occupations
Office and administrative support roles form South Carolina's largest occupational group, while manufacturing employs about 12% of workers.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
- •South Carolina's manufacturing employment share is among the highest of any state in the Southeast.
Salaries
South Carolina's median annual wage was about $41,600 in 2023, below the national median.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU45000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU45000000500000003).
| Indicator | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage | 41600 | 48060 |
- •Wages at South Carolina's aerospace and automotive plants generally run well above the statewide median wage.
Remote Work
About 13.0% of South Carolina workers work primarily from home, near the national average.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Work from home (%) | 13 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
South Carolina's labor force participation rate was approximately 58% in 2024, below the national average.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA45).
| Indicator | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Force Participation Rate | 58 | 62.5 |
- •ReadySC, the state's workforce training program, has helped recruit and train employees for major manufacturing plants for decades.