Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Home health workers, data scientists, and cybersecurity are projected to be the fastest-growing jobs in South Carolina.
- The state expects more than 100,000 people to be working in health care support roles and computer and math-focused jobs by 2023.
South Carolina’s employment agency predicts a significant increase in jobs in computer and math-related fields and health care support roles. The state expects these sectors to experience a nearly 24% increase in employment by 2032, with over 31,600 new workers entering the workforce. The national trend also points to rapid growth in the health care sector and child care and social work industries, with South Carolina set to have more than 100,000 people in health care positions such as home health aides and nursing assistants. The average wage for these roles is just under $17 per hour, with education requirements ranging from a high school diploma to an associate’s degree. The demand for these jobs is expected to drive up wages, similar to the increase seen in wages for restaurant and hospitality workers post-COVID-19 pandemic.
In the computer and math-related fields, data scientists, statisticians, and information security analysts are projected to be in high demand, with average wages ranging from $37 to $57 per hour. The state’s employment agency anticipates that computer and math-related companies will employ over 63,000 people by 2023. To address the workforce needs, South Carolina’s Department of Employment and Workforce has launched a new career exploration website to raise awareness among students, parents, educators, and job seekers about job opportunities in these growing sectors.
However, the state faces challenges in retaining college graduates in these fields, with only half of students staying in South Carolina after graduation. To address this issue, South Carolina colleges and employers may consider providing more internships earlier in students’ college careers to increase retention rates. Despite a cooling job market due to increased job seekers, South Carolina companies are hiring more employees than ever before, with a reported 167,000 job openings, including positions in retail, food service, and registered nursing.
