The Priority Occupations list, published by the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, informs citizens and policymakers alike about the most critical occupations to our state’s current and future workforce needs. These Priority Occupations, updated annually, highlight where the current and/or future needs outweigh the supply of available workers. Priority Occupation outreach materials also aim to educate jobseekers about the expected day-to-day job activities they may encounter in these fields.
The Priority Occupations list reduces the over 800 occupations collected by the federal Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) into a more consumable list while still accounting for all the diverse industries in South Carolina.
Priority Occupations are identified based on current demand, projected growth, viability, and retention. These jobs are in high demand and forecasted to become essential, thriving careers with untapped potential. See the full list of Priority Occupations categorized by Career Clusters below. Learn more about some of these occupations by viewing job flyers available on our Explore SC@Work page here.
- Animal Caretakers
- Pest Control Workers
- Civil Engineers
- Construction Managers
- First-line supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Electricians
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Construction Laborers
- Millwrights
- Carpenters
- Cost Estimators
- Mechanical Door Repairers
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- First-line supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Crane and Tower Operators
- Roofers
- Pile Driver Operators
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Graphic Designers
- Photographers
- Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
- Management Analysts
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other
- Human Resources Specialists
- Training and Development Specialists
- First-line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
- Postal Service Clerks
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other
- Self-Enrichment Teachers
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Accountants and Auditors
- Insurance Sales Agents
- Loan Officers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Insurance Underwriters
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Transportation Inspectors
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physical Therapists
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Veterinarians
- Occupational Therapists
- Dentists, General
- Registered Nurses
- Physicians, All Other
- Dental Hygienists
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Pharmacists
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Medical Records Specialists
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Medical Assistants
- Dental Assistants
- Phlebotomists
- Home Health Aides
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
- Opticians, Dispensing
- Nursing Assistants
- Hearing Aid Specialists
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- Food Service Managers
- Lodging Managers
- First-line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
- First-line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Restaurant
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
- Recreation Workers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Bakers
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Personal Service Managers, All Other
- Personal Care Aides
- Massage Therapists
- Clergy
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Community Health Workers
- Software Developers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Web Developers
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Computer Network Support Specialists
- Lawyers
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Police and Sheriffs Patrol Officers
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- First-line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Correctional Officers and Jailers
- First-line Supervisors of Security Workers
- Private Detectives and Investigators
- Firefighters
- First-line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
- First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- First-line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Machinists
- Production Workers, All Other
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Sales Managers
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
- Real Estate Sales Agents
- Driver/Sales Workers
- First-line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Real Estate Brokers
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- Industrial Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Logisticians
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Light Truck Drivers
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- First-line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers