South Carolina Manufacturing Facts

Manufacturers in South Carolina account for 15.10% of the total output in the state, employing 11.71% of the workforce. Total output from manufacturing was $39.26 billion in 2021. In addition, there were an average of 253,000 manufacturing employees in South Carolina in December 2021, with an average annual compensation of $79,718.72 in 2021.

Manufacturing Output and Firms

Total Manufacturing Output ($billions, 2021)
$39.26
(Percent share of total gross state product)
15.10%
Manufacturing Firms in South Carolina (2019)
3,425

Employment and Compensation

Manufacturing Employment (December 2021)
253,000
(Percent share of nonfarm employment)
11.71%
Average Annual Compensation (Manufacturing, 2021)
$79,718.72
(Nonfarm Businesses, 2021)
$51,309.32

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau

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South Carolina Export Facts

Manufacturers help to drive the South Carolina economy, with $28.80 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2021.

Manufacturing Exports

Manufactured Goods Exports ($billions, 2021)
$28.80
Top 5 Export Markets (total percentage 2021)
56.88%
Germany
15.86%
China
15.59%
Canada
13.21%
Mexico
7.18%
Belgium
5.04%

Sources: International Trade Administration, U.S. Census Bureau

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Additional Trade Facts

  • The 20 U.S. FTA partners purchased 49.38% ($690.92 billion) of U.S. manufactured goods exports in 2021 – even though these countries represent only six percent of the world’s population and 10 percent of GDP.
  • FTA countries: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, Singapore and South Korea.