SC
South Carolina: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #20 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 5,118,425.
South Carolina ranks #20 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (40.6). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 29.2 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 48.4 (Elevated). The 19.2-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Retail Trade is the largest tracked employer with 267,783 jobs.
South Carolina: 40.6 Average Entry Risk
151,810
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
1,372,830
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
40.6
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
South Carolina at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in South Carolina
Industries with the lowest entry risk in South Carolina.
Entry Risk by Industry in South Carolina
Compare market entry conditions across industries in South Carolina. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Other Services
#10
Retail Trade
#30
Information
#29
Construction
#30
South Carolina Industry Data: 151,810 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 29.2 | #9/51 | 13,071 | 245,086 | $25,780 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 31.5 | #12/51 | 18,184 | 244,232 | $60,776 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 34.7 | #9/51 | 33,212 | 133,787 | $97,732 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 37.9 | #10/51 | 12,208 | 62,676 | $47,950 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 41.9 | #26/51 | 12,668 | 154,659 | $49,397 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 44.3 | #30/51 | 20,650 | 267,783 | $37,991 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 44.9 | #36/51 | 8,845 | 35,403 | $67,603 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 46.3 | #29/51 | 5,812 | 28,275 | $102,324 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 47.0 | #30/51 | 15,793 | 117,961 | $74,623 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 48.4 | #16/51 | 11,367 | 82,968 | $94,848 |
Largest Industries in South Carolina by Employment
How South Carolina Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs SC |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 40.6 | — |
| North Carolina | 39.4 | -1.2 |
| Georgia | 46.8 | +6.2 |