South Carolina Added 10,800 Jobs in August 2026
Business owners should note gains in service sectors alongside rising home values across the state.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Employment
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South Carolina added 10,800 net jobs in August 2026, pushing the state unemployment rate down to 4.1 percent. Payroll employment increased 0.4 percent during the month, signaling steady expansion for local employers.
Why it matters
The steady rise in payrolls and property values reflects a tightening labor market and sustained regional demand for services. This growth trend helps operators gauge both talent acquisition costs and the economic health of their customer base.
South Carolina added 10,800 net jobs in August 2026, a 0.4 percent increase in payroll employment. Home values rose 1.2 percent over the prior quarter and 3.8 percent year-over-year, while residential permits grew 17.7 percent compared to July 2025.
The details
Job growth was concentrated in professional and business services, which added 3,900 positions, and leisure and hospitality, which added 4,000 jobs. While these sectors expanded, the information sector remains the only industry to report net job losses over the last twelve months. Residential development fluctuated, with permitting activity falling 4.9 percent from June 2026 to July 2026, despite a significant year-over-year increase.
Timeline
Q2 2025 served as the baseline for annual home value growth.
July 2025 was the base month for measuring annual residential permitting growth.
Q1 2026 was the prior period for quarterly home value comparisons.
June 2026 marked the start of the monthly residential permit comparison.
August 2026 is the most recent month for reported employment and job data.
Market Landscape
The labor and housing data follow the established pattern of the post-2020 regional economic recovery cycle. This period is characterized by sustained shifts in service sector employment and ongoing appreciation in residential home values.
Employers should prepare for increased competition for talent in service industries given the concentrated job gains. Monitor quarterly home value trends to assess potential changes in local consumer purchasing power and facility costs.
The takeaway
The sustained growth in professional services and leisure suggests continued expansion for local businesses despite fluctuations in residential construction permits. Operators should track industry-specific payroll growth to benchmark their own hiring competitiveness against the broader state labor market.
Further reading
For more insight into state labor trends, visit Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greenville Business Magazine.
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