South Carolinians found 5,393 jobs in May; unemployment stayed at 3.5%

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The number of South Carolinians working reached a record of 2,291,363 from May to June, while the state’s unemployment rate remained at 3.5%.

The increase in working people represented an increase of 5,393 from April to May and 50,799 from June 2018, according to the latest numbers from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

Unemployment estimates increased by 844 from May to 83,495 people, an increase of 6,054 from June 2018. South Carolina’s estimated labor force, or those working plus unemployed people looking for work, increased by 6,237 from May to 2,374,858, marking the sixth consecutive month that number rose.

The national unemployment rate increased to 3.7% from 3.6%.

The construction industry reported an increase of 1,300 jobs from May to June and an increase of 900 jobs from June 2018. Trade, transportation and utilities’ 800 additional jobs over the month were part of an increase of 7,500 jobs for the year.

Education and health services lost 700 jobs during the month.

Unemployment edged upward in every S.C. county from May to June except Horry, where it remained at 3.8%.

In Richland County, unemployment rose to 3.6% in June from 3.3% in May, though it was down from 3.8% in June 2018. In Lexington County, unemployment rose to 3% from 2.8% in May, down from 3.2% in June 2018.