How much do you earn? How does it compare? New data tells us about the Rock Hill region
Workers in York, Lancaster and Chester counties have more take-home pay in their pockets than they did a year ago.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released employment and wage data for this year’s second quarter. It offers insight on businesses, their workers , payrolls and wages at state and county levels. The data was provided by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.
The average weekly wage for workers statewide grew by 6.9%, to $1,044. The number of businesses hiring workers rose more than 8% to almost 163,000. The almost 2.2 million jobs statewide in the second quarter was up 4% from the same time last year.
“These new figures confirm that the economic recovery has been robust and widespread across the state into the middle of the year,” Bryan Grady said in a release announcing the recent numbers. Grady is the information director for the state workforce department labor market.
The data captures most, but not all, jobs. It involves anyone who pays unemployment insurance taxes to the state. It doesn’t include the self-employed, contract workers, federal employees or others in exempt industries.
Still, the numbers are significant.
In Lancaster County, the average weekly wage rose by $103 in a year. Only Allendale County, at $105, grew more in a year. For comparison, Lancaster County had 1,856 firms and 27,149 jobs. Allendale County had 174 firms and 2,333 jobs.
The $1,128 average weekly wage in Lancaster County ranks second highest statewide, among the 46 counties. Only Charleston County is higher at $1,179.
Chester and Charleston counties tied for 17th with a $66-per-week wage increase this year. York and Anderson counties tied for No. 28 statewide, each up $51 per week.
York County workers brought in average weekly pay of $1,061. That figure was eighth highest statewide. The $965 weekly wage in Chester County was No. 14.
Total workforce data
The 7,671 employment firms in York County was sixth highest in the state. Lancaster County was No. 18 at 1,856 firms. Chester County had 585 firms, good for No. 31.
York County had 102,250 workers, seventh most statewide. Its 27,149 workers put Lancaster County at No. 18. Chester County had 9,767 workers, for No. 29.
York County added 2,597 workers in a year. Only some of the largest counties statewide — Anderson, Charleston, Greenville, Horry, Lexington, Richland — grew by more. Lancaster County added almost 1,000 workers. Chester County grew by a little more than 300 workers.
York County also added 555 new firms. Only Charleston, Greenville and Horry counties added more in a year. The year-to-year new firm count in York County was higher than the total firm count for 15 counties statewide. Lancaster County added 134 firms in a year. Chester County dropped by seven firms.
Job sector growth
Of 20 reported economic sectors statewide, 17 saw annual job growth. Accommodation and food service had the highest growth at more than 17,000 jobs. Manufacturing was next with almost 13,000 more jobs. Administrative and waste services came in at the other end, down more than 2,600 jobs.
Information was the only job sector to see a weekly wage decrease, down $11. All sectors saw increase sin total number of businesses.
Statewide, 38 of 46 counties registered more jobs this year compared to last. All but one county, Fairfield, saw weekly wage increases. In 39 counties, there were more businesses this year than last.
Dan Ellzey, state workforce department director, said it’s a great sign of growth and prosperity to jobs continue to rise across the state.
“We hope to end the last quarter of the year with even more individuals employed,” Ellzey said.
This story was originally published December 9, 2022 at 7:51 AM with the headline "How much do you earn? How does it compare? New data tells us about the Rock Hill region."
