South Carolina Job Market Heats Up with Record Employment in June

South Carolina’s labor market remained strong in June 2025, setting a new record for the number of employed residents and continuing a trend of steady job growth across multiple industries. According to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), the state added 5,800 nonfarm jobs last month, bringing the total number of employed individuals to a record high of 2,459,338.

“The temperatures are hot in South Carolina and so is the job market,” said DEW Executive Director William Floyd. “The unemployment rate remained at 4.1% while the labor force grew by nearly 5,900 and job growth was widespread across industries.”

Private sector hiring was the main driver of June’s job gains. While government employment rose by 300 positions, the private sector added an estimated 5,500 jobs over the month and 63,400 over the past year. Professional and business services led June’s growth with 2,100 new jobs, followed by education and health services, which added 800 positions. The leisure and hospitality sector also showed strength with a gain of 1,400 jobs.

“Employment growth in the services sector continues to outpace the goods sector through June,” Floyd noted. “The healthcare sector accounted for more than 21% of the state’s private sector employment growth over the past year, and the accommodation and food services sector saw a record high of more than 251,000 jobs.”

South Carolina’s total labor force increased to 2,565,289, with the participation rate rising to 57.6%. Although the number of unemployed individuals rose slightly to 105,951, the state’s unemployment rate held steady and matched the national rate, which also stood at 4.1% in June.

Regionally, Columbia added 1,200 jobs, the most of any metro area. Charleston-North Charleston followed with 800 new jobs, and Myrtle Beach posted a gain of 700. Florence and Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin experienced slight monthly declines.

Unemployment rates were higher across most counties compared to May, reflecting typical seasonal patterns. Williamsburg County recorded the highest jobless rate at 7.8%, while Charleston County reported the lowest at 3.6%. York County’s rate held steady at 4.4%.

Floyd emphasized the state’s ongoing efforts to connect residents with employment opportunities. “From manufacturing to healthcare, technology to utilities, South Carolina is continuing to see large and small businesses grow in our state,” he said. “Even on hot summer days, DEW works to raise awareness about our state’s wide range of career opportunities by attending community events, promoting youth employment, and supporting workforce partnerships.”