South Carolina’s Job Market Grows in May; Unemployment Rate Ticks Down

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s labor market continued to show strength in May 2025, with gains in employment and a slight dip in the statewide unemployment rate, according to the latest data released by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW).

The number of employed residents rose to a seasonally adjusted 2,453,733 — an increase of 5,160 compared to April and 25,136 more than in May 2024. The state’s total labor force also grew, climbing by 4,395 people to 2,559,438. The labor force participation rate remained steady at 57.5%.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed South Carolinians decreased by 765 over the month to 105,705. This resulted in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate falling from 4.2% in April to 4.1% in May. Nationally, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%.

“South Carolina enters the summer tourism season with another strong jobs report for the month of May,” said the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd. “Unemployment ticked down by a tenth of one percent to 4.1% and businesses added 5,400 jobs month-over-month. The number of unemployed South Carolinians dropped by more than 750 individuals while the labor force increased by nearly 4,400.”

Job Growth Across Industries

Nonfarm payroll employment grew by 5,400 jobs in May, reaching a new total of 2,413,100 jobs. Key areas of growth included:

Education and Health Services: +1,600 jobs
Professional and Business Services: +900 jobs
Government: +2,000 jobs
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +700 jobs

Year-over-year, the state added 62,500 jobs — a 2.7% increase.

Only a few sectors saw job losses over the month. Manufacturing employment dipped slightly by 100 jobs, and the Leisure and Hospitality sector also saw a modest decline of 100 jobs.

York County Employment Snapshot

In York County, the unemployment rate fell slightly to 3.7% in May, down from 3.8% the previous month. The county reported a labor force of 156,423, with 150,558 residents employed and 5,865 unemployed.

Compared to May 2024, York County’s labor force has grown by more than 2,000 people, signaling a resilient and expanding local job market. The area’s stable unemployment rate and continued population growth point to healthy economic activity, particularly in the Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Tega Cay communities.

Regional and County-Level Trends

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) dropped in most metropolitan areas:

Charleston-North Charleston: 3.1% (down 0.1 percentage points)
Columbia: 3.7% (down 0.1)
Spartanburg: 3.9% (down 0.2)
Florence: 4.0% (down 0.2)

At the county level, Williamsburg County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.5%, while Charleston County recorded the lowest at 2.9%.

Looking Ahead

The May data highlights a continued post-pandemic recovery for South Carolina’s economy, with steady labor force expansion and diversified job growth. Officials remain optimistic as gains are seen in both private and public sectors, despite national concerns over inflation and interest rates.

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