Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC market rose by 213 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC unemployment rate is 66 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 10 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -1.3% and are equal 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.7%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 11,300; -200
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.