South Carolina Aerospace & Aviation Industry Workforce
South Carolina is the nation’s 10th fastest-growing state, increasing its population by 15.3% between 2000 and 2010 thus increasing its labor force by 8.8%. The United States population grew by 9.5% during this same period.
South Carolina is a right-to-work state with a low unionization rate of 3.4%, ranking 2nd lowest in the United States. South Carolina’s unionization rate for manufacturing, at 1.6%, is also the second lowest in the country.
There are a number of military installations across South Carolina, resulting in a large number of retired and ex-military personnel and defense contractors available to the top aerospace companies in South Carolina. Many of these individuals continue their career in the private sector and have experience and know-how in the aerospace/aviation industry. More than 160,000 veterans under the age of 55 reside in South Carolina.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina ranks as a top five state in employment concentration for a number of occupations applicable to aerospace and aviation. These occupations include:
· industrial engineers
· industrial engineering technicians
· mechanical engineers
· computer-controlled machine tool operators
· metal and plastic
· team assemblers
· fiberglass laminators and fabricators
· extruding and forming machine setters
· operators
· tenders
· synthetic and glass fiber
· electrical and electronics repairers
· commercial and industrial equipment
South Carolina’s wages for occupations in the aerospace industry are also very competitive.
Year after year, CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business gives South Carolina’s workforce high marks with a top ten ranking, and other business climate rankings praise South Carolina’s workforce development program.