The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 8.0 percent in May. The number of unemployed fell by 1,773, while the number of people employed rose by 1,497, making May the 11th consecutive month that employment has increased.
Dillon County’s unemployment rate increased during the month of May. The county ranked seventh in the state in unemployment in May with a rate of 12.1 percent up from 11.8 percent the month before.
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased slightly from 7.5 percent to 7.6 percent prompted by people reentering the workforce.
This month is the closest South Carolina’s rate has been to the national rate since March 2008, when both rates were below 6.0 percent.
Non-farm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 5,400 from April to May to a total of 1,895,200. Growth was concentrated in service-providing industries with Professional and Business Services leading the way for the second consecutive month, mainly due to increased hiring in Temporary Help Services and Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services.
• Professional and Business Services reported an increase of 3,700, and Leisure and Hospitality continued its seasonal rise (+2,900) for the fifth consecutive month.
• The Financial Activities sector expanded by 1,600 since April, and small improvements were also reported in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+600); Other Services (+400); and Construction (+200).
• Large monthly declines were seen in Government (-2,100) and Manufacturing (-1,000). The usual summer downturn in employment at public colleges and universities drove the decrease in Government, while the Manufacturing sector saw its second consecutive drop. A smaller decrease was seen in Education and Health Services (-800).
