Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 2,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.
Total employment in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC market declined by 4,958 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC unemployment rate is 149 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 5.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.1%. Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 71,400; -400
- Government: 68,100; +2,500
- Business Services: 52,700; -1,100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 45,300; -1,900
- Education & Healthcare: 44,600; +300
- Manufacturing: 28,100; +100
- Construction, Mining: 20,600; no change
- Financial Services: 15,600; +100
- Other Jobs: 14,400; -100
- IT & Development: 5,600; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.