State
Businesses in South Carolina by trade
122,958 employer establishments in 2023, employing 2,067,143 people (+12.6% establishments since 2017).
SOUTH CAROLINA · ALL INDUSTRIES
122,958
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 2,067,143
- Average per site
- 16.8
- Change since 2017
- +12.6%
- Annual payroll
- $109.5 billion
The 12 trades in South Carolina
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 4,583 | 98,946 | +8.4% | 19 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 811 | 10,787 | +37.5% | 28 |
| Beauty salons | 1,052 | 4,272 | +15.4% | 23 |
| Barber shops | 98 | 362 | +81.5% | 23 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,685 | 18,417 | +6.1% | 23 |
| Roofing contractors | 300 | 2,287 | +26.1% | 27 |
| Landscaping services | 1,910 | 13,383 | +15.6% | 23 |
| Janitorial services | 1,094 | 20,026 | +4.2% | 24 |
| Child day care | 1,042 | 13,611 | +15.5% | 24 |
| General auto repair | 1,070 | 5,484 | +0.8% | 25 |
| Fitness centers | 574 | 8,457 | +18.8% | 24 |
| Pet care services | 437 | 3,070 | +43.3% | 22 |
Largest industry groups in South Carolina
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 12,611 | 114,785 | +15.8% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 10,924 | 216,653 | +13.7% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 8,866 | 102,710 | +17.5% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 7,969 | 63,201 | +22.9% |
| Real Estate | 6,877 | 22,978 | +38.7% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 6,380 | 287,584 | +10.4% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 5,765 | 43,591 | +1.1% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 3,632 | 20,413 | +28.6% |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 3,585 | 38,263 | −6.5% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 3,511 | 22,117 | +13.0% |
| Construction of Buildings | 3,329 | 20,646 | +22.9% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 3,072 | 51,598 | −4.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (2023; change measured against 2017, 2019 and 2022). Establishments with paid employees only; employment and payroll carry Census noise infusion. Retrieved November 2, 2026. Method and sources.