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South Carolina

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Total payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 6,800 jobs (0.3 percent) in April. The unemployment rate is currently at 4.2 percent, increasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "South Carolina continued to see overall solid job gains. However, after strong job growth in educational and health services over the past year, the sector saw notable declines in April." – Bethany Greene
  • Total payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 6,800 jobs (0.3 percent), on net, during the month. Job gains were primarily due to gains in leisure and hospitality employment (3,300 jobs) and professional and business services (1,200 jobs). These employment gains were partially offset by job losses in education and health services (1,200 jobs) and other services (300 jobs).
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 57,300 jobs (2.4 percent). Annual job growth was led by education and health services (10,800 jobs), professional and business services (10,700 jobs) and construction (8,500 jobs). There was a slight decline in manufacturing employment on an annual basis (300 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently at 4.2 percent, increasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point in April. Also, the labor force grew by roughly 4,000 workers.

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

  • Residential permitting activity shrunk 7.1 percent from March 2025 to April 2025 and decreased 5.1 percent from April 2024 to April 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values increased in Q1 of 2025 by 1.1 percent compared to Q4 of 2024. Compared to Q1 of 2024, home values grew 6.0 percent in Q1 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