Workforce

The total civilian labor force within a 30-mile radius of Greer is 486,512. It is 272,648 within a 15-mile radius (ESRI BAO, Feb. 2018). This represents all non-military employed and unemployed (actively seeking jobs) workers residing in the area.

This table summarizes the demographic characteristics of the working-age population in the community.

City of Greer

2017 Civilian Population 16+ in Labor Force
Civilian Employed 95.9%
Civilian Unemployed 4.1%

2017 Employed Population 16+ by Industry
Total 14,221
Agriculture/Mining 0.5%
Construction 8.2%
Manufacturing 18.0%
Wholesale Trade 3.4%
Retail Trade 11.9%
Transportation/Utilities 4.3%
Information 1.9%
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate 5.1%
Services 45.4%
Public Administration 1.4%

2015 Employed Population 16+ by Occupation
Total 14,220
White Collar 58.3%
Management/Business/Financial 14.6%
Professional 20.4%
Sales 12.5%
Administrative Support 10.7%
Services 16.8%
Blue Collar 24.9%
Farming/Forestry/Fishing 0.3%
Construction/Extraction 7.2%
Installation/Maintenance/Repair 2.3%
Production 8.5%
Transportation/Material Moving 6.6%

(ESRI BAO, City of Greer, Feb 2018)

Greer Trade Area

2017 Civilian Population 16+ in Labor Force
Civilian Employed 95.6%
Civilian Unemployed 4.4%

2017 Employed Population 16+ by Industry
Total 284,749
Agriculture/Mining 0.5%
Construction 5.9%
Manufacturing 17.8%
Wholesale Trade 3.5%
Retail Trade 10.8%
Transportation/Utilities 4.0%
Information 1.8%
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate 5.3%
Services 48.2%
Public Administration 2.1%

2017 Employed Population 16+ by Occupation
Total 284,749
White Collar 60.7%
Management/Business/Financial 14.2%
Professional 22.3%
Sales 11.4%
Administrative Support 12.7%
Services 16.8%
Blue Collar 22.5%
Farming/Forestry/Fishing 0.2%
Construction/Extraction 4.7%
Installation/Maintenance/Repair 2.8%
Production 8.6%
Transportation/Material Moving 6.2%

(ESRI BAO, 111 Trade Street, 30 minute drive time, Feb 2018)

The following represents the number of jobs and wages (2014-2015) in the two county Greenville-Spartanburg County Region (EMSI, Occupation Table, Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, Q2 2015).

Greer has made significant improvements in the educational attainment of its population. In 1990, the percentage of the population over 25 years of age with a high school degree was 47.6 percent. In 2010, the percentage of Greer city residents over 18 years of age with a high school degree was 81.4 percent. Although these numbers are below the state and national levels, Greer is continuing to take proactive steps with local school districts and the business community to see more of the population completing the necessary level of education for the future.

South Carolina’s award-winning technical education system works in partnership with local industries to ensure the availability of a ready, well-training workforce. Customized training programs are provided through ReadySC. The local Workforce Investment Board “One Stop” program also provides a constant supply of trained workers for new and existing businesses.

The following data is from 2010 U.S. Census.

Educational Attainment of Persons 25 Years Old & Older, 2010

Occupations of People Working in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties (16+)

South Carolina consistently ranks as one of the least unionized in the nation. We are a right-to-work state, which prohibits the existence of closed union shops, maintenance of membership clauses, preferential hiring and any other stipulations mandating union membership. This enhances the ability of all employers to operate non-union facilities.

Greer is home to several of the nation’s leading labor law firms and a united community effort is made to minimize the need for unions. This includes emphasis on good management practices, employee participation, quality circles, and an emphasis on human resource programs.