South Carolina produces some of the most complex products in the world. Each time a finished product rolls off an assembly line in the state – whether an electric vehicle, a top-of-the-line washing machine or a fighter jet – it continues to solidify S.C.’s reputation as a location that excels in advanced manufacturing.
In honor of Manufacturing Day Oct. 7, 2022, and October as South Carolina Manufacturing Month, it’s important to recognize the transformative impact this sector makes across the state. More than 14% of South Carolina’s private sector workforce is employed in manufacturing, which is higher than the national average of 10%. And manufacturing pays South Carolinians competitive wages, with the average salary at more than $61,000.
Through years of successful collaboration between S.C. Commerce, industry stakeholders, workforce and education leaders, partners and elected officials, South Carolina is internationally recognized as a manufacturing powerhouse. To maintain that status, create opportunities for South Carolinians and ensure the state’s competitive advantage, it’s vital that S.C. embraces and adopts the emerging technologies and disruptive change that are transforming industry. Technologies like automation, robotics and more.
Through this continued collaboration — and through awareness initiatives like South Carolina Manufacturing Month — S.C. Commerce is working to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and position the state for even more manufacturing success.