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South Carolina

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Payroll employment in South Carolina declined slightly by 300 jobs (0.0 percent) in August. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.3 percent.

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Note: US Bureau of Labor Statistics State Employment and Unemployment data are not currently being updated due to suspension of federal government services.

Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Labor market conditions deteriorated in South Carolina in August, as payroll employment declined for the first time this year. The unemployment rate also inched up slightly to 4.3 percent" – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment in South Carolina declined slightly by 300 jobs (0 percent), on net, during the month. Job losses were primarily in professional and business services (2,500 jobs). Job losses were partially offset by strong job gains in leisure and hospitality (2,100).
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 72,000 jobs (3.1 percent). Annual job growth was led by professional and business services (16,500 jobs), leisure and hospitality (14,800 jobs), and education & health services (13,800 jobs). Manufacturing employment declined by 100 jobs on an annual basis.
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently 4.3 percent, inching up slightly by 0.1 percentage point in August. The labor force continued to grow, with 3,500 workers added during the month.

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • Residential permitting activity shrunk 2.9 percent from July 2025 to August 2025 and decreased 2.8 percent from August 2024 to August 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values increased in Q2 of 2025 by 0.4 percent compared to Q1 of 2025. Compared to Q2 of 2024, home values grew 3.5 percent in Q2 of 2025.
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

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Joseph Mengedoth