NAICS 23

Construction in South Carolina: 2026 Market Risk Report

Entry risk 47.0 (Elevated), ranked #30 of 51 states. 15,793 establishments, 117,961 jobs.

Entry Risk Assessment

Entry Risk Score 47.0
Low 0-30
Moderate 30-42
Elevated 42-55
High 55+
Elevated

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

The construction sector in South Carolina is tracking close to the U.S. baseline, with no extreme signals in volatility, saturation, or wage pressure. Entry conditions are within the national median range.

5-Year Firm Retention
62.8%
Percentile within industry
Rank #20 of 51 states
Growth Momentum
26.3
Scale of 0-100
Rank #31 of 51 states
Establishment Density
20.4
vs. national average
Rank #31 of 51 states
Market Volatility
34.0
Lower is more stable
Wage Pressure Index
71.3
Labor cost pressure

15,793 Establishments in South Carolina

15,793
Establishments
+7.2% YoY
117,961
Total Employment
+5.0% YoY
$74,623
Average Annual Wage
+6.7% YoY

South Carolina vs National Construction Average

How South Carolina's construction market compares to the national average across all 51 states.

Metric SC National Difference
Entry Risk Score 47.0 44.2 +2.8
5-Year Retention 62.8% 51.0% +11.8
Growth Momentum 26.3 30.9 -4.6
Market Volatility 34.0 20.9 +13.1
Establishment Density 20.4 24.6 -4.2
Wage Pressure 71.3 57.1 +14.1

Green = favorable vs national average. Red = less favorable. Metrics are relative within construction only.

South Carolina Ranks #30 of 51 for Construction

South Carolina ranks #30 out of 51 states for construction market entry conditions.

Construction Entry Risk by State

Rank State Risk Score Classification
#1 Wisconsin 25.1 low
#2 Michigan 28.0 low
#3 Pennsylvania 28.4 low
#4 Alabama 30.3 moderate
#5 Nebraska 32.5 moderate
#30 South Carolina You 47.0 elevated
Entry Risk by State Alaska — 60.9 · #50 Alabama — 30.3 · #4 Arkansas — 34.3 · #8 Arizona — 38.6 · #16 California — 47.8 · #32 Colorado — 53.2 · #40 Connecticut — 43.2 · #27 District of Columbia — 56.9 · #45 Delaware — 43.0 · #26 Florida — 54.5 · #42 Georgia — 42.1 · #25 Hawaii — 61.1 · #51 Iowa — 34.3 · #7 Idaho — 58.4 · #48 Illinois — 49.1 · #34 Indiana — 35.0 · #11 Kansas — 51.5 · #38 Kentucky — 39.8 · #19 Louisiana — 53.6 · #41 Massachusetts — 41.5 · #23 Maryland — 35.0 · #12 Maine — 35.5 · #13 Michigan — 28.0 · #2 Minnesota — 37.3 · #14 Missouri — 54.6 · #43 Mississippi — 50.8 · #36 Montana — 45.0 · #28 North Carolina — 38.2 · #15 North Dakota — 58.3 · #47 Nebraska — 32.5 · #5 New Hampshire — 32.6 · #6 New Jersey — 48.3 · #33 New Mexico — 47.4 · #31 Nevada — 39.8 · #20 New York — 51.1 · #37 Ohio — 41.7 · #24 Oklahoma — 52.2 · #39 Oregon — 54.8 · #44 Pennsylvania — 28.4 · #3 Rhode Island — 38.8 · #17 South Carolina — 47.0 · #30 South Dakota — 34.7 · #9 Tennessee — 34.8 · #10 Texas — 46.3 · #29 Utah — 40.1 · #22 Virginia — 39.0 · #18 Vermont — 40.0 · #21 Washington — 58.1 · #46 Wisconsin — 25.1 · #1 West Virginia — 49.5 · #35 Wyoming — 59.3 · #49
Low Moderate Elevated High

Tap a state to view details

About Entry Risk Score: A weighted composite of firm retention, growth momentum, market volatility, establishment density, and wage pressure. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: February 2026. Next refresh expected: Q2 2026 (BLS QCEW update).

Compare to Another State

How does South Carolina stack up against other states for construction?

Select a state above to see the comparison

Construction in Neighboring States

How South Carolina's construction market compares to bordering states.

North Carolina 38.2 #15/51 Georgia 42.1 #25/51

Other Industries in South Carolina

Healthcare and Social Assistance → Retail Trade → Accommodation and Food Services → Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services → Finance and Insurance → Real Estate and Rental and Leasing → Administrative and Support Services → Information → Other Services →