Special to the Chronicle

South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.0 percent from 4.2 percent in April.

The number of individuals working across the state declined slightly by 224 people in May to a level of 2,225,431. The state’s labor force fell by 5,655 to 2,317,929.

Since May of 2017, the labor force has grown by 9,202 people, and employment gains totaled 13,845. The level of unemployed declined by 4,643 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate edged down to 3.8 percent from April’s rate of 3.9 percent.

May 2018 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 1,800 over the month to a record level of 2,122,300.

From May 2017 to May 2018, South Carolina’s economy has added 38,400 seasonally adjusted, non-farm jobs.

Industries with noticeable gains were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+10,600); Education and Health Services (+7,100); Leisure and Hospitality (+7,000); Professional and Business Services (+5,300); Manufacturing (+3,700); Government (+3,200); Other Services (+2,500).