South Carolina Labor Market Conditions

Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 5,400 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, during January. Most job gains were in government (2,000 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (1,700 jobs) and education and health services (1,400 jobs), according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

It said these job gains were partially offset by job losses in professional and business services (700 jobs), information services (500 jobs) and manufacturing (100 jobs).

Also:

• On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 31,500 jobs (1.3 percent). Annual job growth was led by education & health services (11,800 jobs), government (7,300 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (6,800 jobs). Three industries saw declines: professional and business services (4,300 jobs), manufacturing (700 jobs), information services (600 jobs).

• The unemployment rate in South Carolina was 4.9 percent, increasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point in January. The labor force grew robustly, adding 12,000 participants over the month.

"South Carolina's payroll employment growth accelerated in January due to strong job gains in government, trade, transportation and utilities and education and health services," said Regional Economist Bethany Greene.

Among housing market conditions:

• Residential permitting activity decreased 5.0 percent from November 2025 to December 2025 and decreased 10.2 percent from December 2024 to December 2025.

• According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values increased in Q4 of 2025 by 0.3 percent compared to Q3 of 2025. Compared to Q4 of 2024, home values grew 3.7 percent in Q4 of 2025.