Employment reaches record high in S.C.

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The number of people working in the state increased by 648 in June, raising the total estimated number of workers to a new high of 2,226,062, as S.C.’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% from 4% in May.

Unemployment decreased by 5,425 to 87,080. It is the third consecutive month that unemployment has declined in the state, according to the latest jobs report from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased to 4% from 3.8% in May.

The state’s labor force declined by 4,777 to 2,313,142, but seasonally adjusted jobs increased by 3,400 in June to a record-high 2,125,700. The state’s seasonally adjusted labor force has grown by 2,637 people since June 2017, with employment gains totaling 12,231.

Leisure and hospitality jobs in South Carolina saw the most growth, adding 4,900 workers. Health and education services grew by 1,500, while professional and business services saw a drop of 4,800.

“Businesses are continuing to hire and employment is at record level, so the challenge remains providing employers with a workforce that meets their needs and pulling in more potential workers,” said Cheryl Stanton, S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce executive director, in a news release.

In Richland County, unemployment rose to 3.7% in June from 2.9% in May. Lexington County unemployment rose to 3.1% in June from 2.4% in May. Both numbers are lower than June 2017, when Richland County unemployment was at 4.5% and Lexington County was at 3.8%.