Fastest-growing jobs in South Carolina

Written by:
April 15, 2024
Stacker // Canva

Fastest-growing jobs in South Carolina

With the country eager to put the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the American economy continued to boom in 2023. The national unemployment rate remained around 3.6%, while the total number of people employed grew to roughly 152 million, up from 148 million in 2022.

The economy has seen several significant changes in recent years. Many people are leaving expensive coastal states such as California and New York and moving to more affordable places in the Mountain West region and the South, buoyed by companies that have embraced remote work. What's more, in a reversal of past trends, wages grew the fastest for lower-earning workers.

Stacker analyzed jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the fastest-growing jobs in South Carolina. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2022 and 2023. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in South Carolina.

You may also like: Seniors in these South Carolina counties have the highest Alzheimer's rates
1 / 50
Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#50. Veterinary technologists and technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.0% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,940
--- Employment in 2022: 1,590
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $39,380

2 / 50
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#49. Phlebotomists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.2% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,640
--- Employment in 2022: 2,160
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,510

3 / 50
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

#48. Physicians, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.2% (1,070 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,880
--- Employment in 2022: 4,810
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

4 / 50
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#47. Childcare workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.3% (1,570 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,610
--- Employment in 2022: 7,040
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $27,600

5 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#46. Instructional coordinators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.8% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,120
--- Employment in 2022: 2,540
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $66,830

You may also like: The biggest health care data breaches you should know about in South Carolina
6 / 50
Undrey // Shutterstock

#45. Financial and investment analysts

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.0% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,470
--- Employment in 2022: 2,820
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $87,840

7 / 50
Canva

#44. Stockers and order fillers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.7% (8,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 46,550
--- Employment in 2022: 37,630
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $33,950

8 / 50
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

#43. Software quality assurance analysts and testers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.8% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,610
--- Employment in 2022: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $84,260

9 / 50
evgenii mitroshin // Shutterstock

#42. Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.1% (1,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,250
--- Employment in 2022: 4,230
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $41,330

10 / 50
PanuShot // Shutterstock

#41. Financial specialists, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.4% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,020
--- Employment in 2022: 820
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $71,960

You may also like: South Carolina ranks #36 in mental health care deserts
11 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#40. Paramedics

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.7% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,170
--- Employment in 2022: 1,740
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $49,800

12 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock

#39. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.8% (2,820 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 14,170
--- Employment in 2022: 11,350
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,210

13 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#38. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.0% (1,100 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,500
--- Employment in 2022: 4,400
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $55,340

14 / 50
Canva

#37. Food preparation workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.9% (3,480 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 16,930
--- Employment in 2022: 13,450
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $28,320

15 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#36. Public safety telecommunicators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +26.7% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,470
--- Employment in 2022: 1,160
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $38,310

You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in South Carolina
16 / 50
Canva

#35. Engine and other machine assemblers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +26.9% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,510
--- Employment in 2022: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $47,890

17 / 50
Canva

#34. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.2% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,310
--- Employment in 2022: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $84,940

18 / 50
Canva

#33. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.4% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,070
--- Employment in 2022: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $78,450

19 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#32. Chief executives

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +28.5% (670 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,020
--- Employment in 2022: 2,350
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $186,800

20 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#31. Education administrators, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.0% (860 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,830
--- Employment in 2022: 2,970
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $84,230

You may also like: Counties where the most opioids are dispensed in South Carolina
21 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#30. Tutors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.0% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Employment in 2022: 1,100
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $30,960

22 / 50
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#29. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.4% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,490
--- Employment in 2022: 1,910
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $29,200

23 / 50
SofikoS // Shutterstock

#28. Diagnostic medical sonographers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.5% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,240
--- Employment in 2022: 950
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $78,730

24 / 50
DGLimages // Shutterstock

#27. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.8% (600 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,550
--- Employment in 2022: 1,950
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,030

25 / 50
Canva

#26. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.8% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,420
--- Employment in 2022: 1,850
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $63,720

You may also like: The best beach towns in South Carolina
26 / 50
Canva

#25. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +31.5% (4,790 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 20,020
--- Employment in 2022: 15,230
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $53,640

27 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#24. Project management specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +32.2% (2,560 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 10,510
--- Employment in 2022: 7,950
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $87,420

28 / 50
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock

#23. Interior designers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.7% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Employment in 2022: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $46,950

29 / 50
LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#22. Emergency medical technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.9% (1,150 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 4,350
--- Employment in 2022: 3,200
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,430

30 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#21. Nurse practitioners

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.1% (1,510 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,470
--- Employment in 2022: 3,960
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $112,510

You may also like: How opioid prescriptions to Medicaid patients in South Carolina stack up
31 / 50
Hitdelight // Shutterstock

#20. Architectural and civil drafters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.0% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,960
--- Employment in 2022: 1,410
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,710

32 / 50
Canva

#19. Bakers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +40.8% (930 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,210
--- Employment in 2022: 2,280
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $32,800

33 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +41.2% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,600
--- Employment in 2022: 2,550
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $76,060

34 / 50
aboutsung // Shutterstock

#17. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +41.3% (1,630 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,580
--- Employment in 2022: 3,950
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $23,090

35 / 50
Canva

#16. Bartenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +41.8% (3,070 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 10,410
--- Employment in 2022: 7,340
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $18,610

You may also like: Best private high schools in South Carolina
36 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#15. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +45.7% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,020
--- Employment in 2022: 700
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $63,970

37 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#14. Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +46.4% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,230
--- Employment in 2022: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $63,790

38 / 50
N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock

#13. Computer occupations, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +47.2% (1,370 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 4,270
--- Employment in 2022: 2,900
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $104,920

39 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#12. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +47.4% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,150
--- Employment in 2022: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,800

40 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#11. Computer network architects

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +50.0% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,650
--- Employment in 2022: 1,100
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $105,050

You may also like: Counties with the worst droughts in South Carolina
41 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Managers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +51.3% (990 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,920
--- Employment in 2022: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $118,350

42 / 50
Canva

#9. Butchers and meat cutters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +51.9% (680 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,990
--- Employment in 2022: 1,310
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,660

43 / 50
Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock

#8. Facilities managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +55.1% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Employment in 2022: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $96,460

44 / 50
Canva

#7. Medical equipment preparers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +73.7% (560 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,320
--- Employment in 2022: 760
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $39,770

45 / 50
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#6. Data scientists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +77.1% (910 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,090
--- Employment in 2022: 1,180
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $95,310

You may also like: Counties with the worst commutes in South Carolina
46 / 50
Anna Jurkovska // Shutterstock

#5. Orderlies

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +91.3% (940 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,970
--- Employment in 2022: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,320

47 / 50
Canva

#4. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +92.6% (1,630 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,390
--- Employment in 2022: 1,760
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $31,950

48 / 50
Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock

#3. Eligibility interviewers, government programs

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +98.7% (770 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,550
--- Employment in 2022: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $35,090

49 / 50
Jason Person // Shutterstock

#2. Cooks, short order

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +113.5% (590 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,110
--- Employment in 2022: 520
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $29,810

50 / 50
Canva

#1. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +123.5% (630 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Employment in 2022: 510
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $29,660

This story features data reporting and writing by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

You may also like: Counties with the most prewar homes in South Carolina

Trending Now