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
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.
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
Metro Markets in South Carolina
8 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
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 |
South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is South Carolina's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
South Carolina averages 40.6 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #20 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within South Carolina?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in South Carolina at 29.2 (Low). It employs 245,086 workers across 13,071 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in South Carolina?
Finance and Insurance posts South Carolina's highest entry risk at 48.4 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in South Carolina?
151,810 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in South Carolina, employing 1,372,830 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is South Carolina's largest industry by employment?
Retail Trade is the largest tracked employer in South Carolina with 267,783 jobs across 20,650 establishments and an entry risk score of 44.3.