A Labor Market Driving Competitiveness
One of the Charleston region’s most powerful advantages continues to be its people. Since 2018, our labor force has grown by nearly 67,000, an 18% increase, while employment has risen by more than 61,000. Even with unemployment ticking up slightly to 3.5% at the end of 2024, our rate remained well below the national average of 4.1% and South Carolina’s 4.7%. These figures reflect what many of you see every day: growth across the region paired with real competition for talent.
What the Projections Showed Us
In the 2024/2025 Forecast, the forecast board projected that the labor force would continue to expand by about 2.0% in 2025, with employment close behind at 1.9%. For employers, that means the challenges of hiring and retention are not going away anytime soon. Instead, they remain central to how businesses plan for growth and manage their teams.
Supporting Employers with Insight and Tools
The Chamber is committed to making these trends actionable. Our Talent Demand Study 2024 outlines the careers expected to add the most jobs by 2028, giving businesses a clearer picture of where demand is headed. To connect with tomorrow’s workforce, the Regional College & Career Guide 2024–2025 links students and educators directly to opportunities in our region’s high-demand industries. And to stay competitive in a crowded talent market, our Compensation & Benefits Practices Report offers local benchmarks, with a new edition set to be released soon.
Looking further ahead, we are preparing to launch the Regional Education Blueprint in 2026 with the support of the ATI Foundation. This long-term initiative will better align our schools, colleges and training programs with the workforce needs most critical to our region’s continued competitiveness.
Staying Competitive While the Region Grows
For employers across the region, these projections highlight the importance of accessing data, developing long-term strategies and planning ahead from pay practices to workforce development. Staying ahead means sharpening hiring practices, offering competitive compensation and investing in both current employees and the next generation of talent.
Join us October 21 at the 2025 Economic Outlook Conference
Opportunities like these and their impact on our economy will take center stage at the 2025 Economic Outlook Conference, presented by South Carolina Federal Credit Union. Register now for individual tickets or reserve a table sponsorship with 8 seats and recognition at the event.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the full analysis, explore the 2024/2025 Forecast Book.
