Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.9% , based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC market declined by 242 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC unemployment rate is 79 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 210 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 10.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 12,000; no change
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.