City Town Info

Sumter Employment

Employment and Industries in the Sumter, South Carolina Area

The Sumter region includes over 50 diversified industries. Some of the sectors with a significant presence in Sumter are fabric printing, food processing, hand tools, furniture, electrical equipment, clothing, chemicals and medical apparatuses. The employees of the manufacturing companies earn on average 20% more than the service-sector employees.

Healthcare, education services and social services also have important roles in the economy. In addition, Shaw Air Force Base is nearby and is a major employer. Also, Forbes named Sumter the 44th best small metropolitan area in the country to do business and to advance a career.

The leading job providing segments in Sumter are educational services, healthcare, government, accommodation and food services, construction, textile mills and textile products, and finance and insurance. Management, professional and related occupations (28% of the jobs). Sales and office occupations (24% of the labor force). Production, transportation and material moving occupations (17% of the workforce).

Notable details about Sumter, South Carolina: Adult population holding a bachelor's degree: 23%. The cost of living index in 2008: 81.1. Average earnings in Sumter: $25,000.

The largest employers in the Sumter region:

  • Shaw Air Force Base - Military
  • Pilgrims Pride Poultry processing
  • Tuomey Healthcare System - Hospital
  • Sumter School Districts
  • Becton Dickinson - Medical supplies manufacturer
  • Santee Print Works - Textiles manufacturers
  • Sumter County Government - Government
  • City of Sumter - Government
  • Eaton Electrical (Cutler-Hammer) - Electrical manufacturer
  • Walmart - Retail
  • Cooper Hand Tools - Tools manufacturer
  • Security Management of SC - Personal services
  • Central Carolina Tech. College - Education
  • SAFE Federal Credit Union - Credit union
  • SC Dept. of Disb., & Special Needs - Government
  • Color-Fi, Inc - Plastics manufacturer
  • Interlake Material Handling - Pallet rack manufacturer

In Sumter, there are numerous jobs where the majority of the workers have college degrees including registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives; child, family and school social workers; pharmacists, electrical engineers, network systems and data communications analysts, and medical and health services managers.

Some of the helpful organizations that provide assistance to local businesses are:

The The Item provides news regarding business and the economy in Sumter, South Carolina.

Most Popular Jobs in Sumter, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses59058,470$49,610 - 66,85024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education44041,630$29,600 - 52,99014%95%
3Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education31041,100$29,320 - 54,49011%95%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education23036,760$19,030 - 52,7306%96%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products22048,900$23,910 - 89,2708%51%
6Teachers and instructors, all other18017,010$12,890 - 19,3109%54%
7Accountants and auditors14051,760$31,940 - 73,87018%79%
8Child, family, and school social workers11034,100$19,160 - 50,68019%77%
9Educational, vocational, and school counselors11041,340$19,380 - 61,17013%73%
10Instructional coordinators9057,220$43,100 - 77,76023%79%
11Pharmacists9092,240$59,510 - 145,62022%97%
12Electrical engineers9062,790$37,900 - 93,4706%81%
13Network systems and data communications analysts9062,400$52,820 - 78,86053%57%
14Medical and health services managers9066,980$39,400 - 84,05016%57%
15Education administrators, elementary and secondary school8065,620$42,480 - 84,3708%78%
16Mechanical engineers8059,100$36,670 - 89,5704%78%
17Social and human service assistants6022,690$13,050 - 43,60034%58%
18Lawyers6095,060$33,120 - 11%99%
19Industrial engineers6063,680$40,850 - 84,83020%74%
20Librarians5045,450$29,380 - 62,1804%85%
21Financial managers5079,690$47,540 - 117,89013%60%
22Management analysts5066,650$47,790 - 89,09022%78%
23Medical and clinical laboratory technicians5030,990$22,700 - 39,93015%51%
24Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products4044,260$27,380 - 74,14012%51%
25Engineering managers4095,520$63,120 - 129,7007%84%
26Sales managers4081,620$29,840 - 131,51010%69%
27Chief executives40155,200$87,690 - 2%65%
28Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents30 $ - 25%67%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,76020,890$16,170 - 25,2702%5%
2Cashiers1,42016,030$12,880 - 20,150-2%10%
3Retail salespersons1,24021,620$13,540 - 32,25012%25%
4Office clerks, general98020,540$13,770 - 28,09013%19%
5Maintenance and repair workers, general67030,230$19,370 - 41,46010%6%
6Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners62017,410$13,160 - 23,16015%4%
7Cooks, fast food59014,920$12,700 - 18,8508%5%
8Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive59026,530$14,740 - 39,1001%18%
9Team assemblers55029,810$20,360 - 40,0900%5%
10Construction laborers52023,150$17,780 - 29,71011%5%
11General and operations managers47088,280$44,640 - 2%48%
12Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food46016,030$13,000 - 20,14018%5%
13Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer45034,650$22,880 - 49,16010%4%
14Waiters and waitresses41015,190$12,830 - 18,89011%14%
15Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks39029,060$17,630 - 42,27013%16%
16Stock clerks and order fillers38019,460$13,270 - 30,100-7%8%
17First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers37034,380$19,620 - 50,1904%25%
18Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers36024,720$18,880 - 33,140-6%14%
19Teacher assistants35017,200$13,140 - 23,02010%18%
20First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers35050,800$35,490 - 66,6807%13%
21Food preparation workers34016,640$13,110 - 21,81015%7%
22Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants34019,840$15,880 - 26,44018%7%
23Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop34016,960$13,160 - 22,70010%8%
24Child care workers33014,900$12,820 - 18,21018%15%
25Home health aides33016,450$13,160 - 19,66049%7%
26Industrial truck and tractor operators32026,600$20,880 - 36,670-1%2%
27First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers32043,250$26,410 - 63,0506%29%
28Customer service representatives29025,160$14,140 - 37,15025%22%
29Receptionists and information clerks29020,960$15,390 - 27,61017%13%
30Electrical power-line installers and repairers28041,950$29,280 - 53,6307%6%
31Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27031,620$22,690 - 40,260-14%0%
32Packers and packagers, hand27024,000$13,790 - 35,230-11%3%
33Tellers26021,730$16,440 - 28,38014%16%
34Truck drivers, light or delivery services26024,750$14,720 - 32,2508%4%
35First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers25028,150$20,770 - 37,75011%14%
36Correctional officers and jailers22030,210$24,530 - 38,29017%11%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics21028,480$14,220 - 48,24014%4%
38First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers21043,700$23,420 - 63,850-4%15%
39Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses21034,880$24,750 - 41,89014%7%
40Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators21028,930$22,720 - 34,3808%3%
41Maids and housekeeping cleaners20018,260$14,030 - 22,93013%5%
42Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers18025,850$18,140 - 32,0005%2%
43Dishwashers16015,290$12,830 - 20,01010%3%
44First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers16049,440$35,930 - 63,5909%10%
45Landscaping and groundskeeping workers16023,200$14,510 - 32,13018%6%
46Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters16031,390$19,890 - 45,41011%4%
47Cooks, institution and cafeteria16017,330$13,230 - 22,12011%5%
48Laundry and dry-cleaning workers15018,770$14,020 - 24,22010%5%
49Executive secretaries and administrative assistants15033,200$25,750 - 45,19015%18%
50Cooks, restaurant15018,030$13,330 - 24,40012%5%
51Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks14023,690$13,490 - 37,1204%6%
52Construction managers13086,180$44,770 - 162,84016%29%
53Billing and posting clerks and machine operators13028,320$21,750 - 38,4804%15%
54Medical assistants12023,360$18,160 - 29,68035%10%
55Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers12032,240$20,890 - 46,1909%3%
56Parts salespersons12022,670$15,540 - 34,890-1%6%
57Postal service mail carriers120 1%11%
58Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop11016,030$12,980 - 20,13010%17%
59Counter and rental clerks11020,790$15,400 - 31,16023%16%
60Electricians10036,320$25,090 - 51,0907%7%
61Bill and account collectors10023,940$15,880 - 31,56023%13%
62Business operations specialists, all other10058,910$37,570 - 80,48021%49%
63Cement masons and concrete finishers10031,310$23,550 - 40,93011%2%
64Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders10026,430$18,920 - 32,030-12%4%
65Paralegals and legal assistants9031,290$22,440 - 43,25022%45%
66Pharmacy technicians9026,230$20,520 - 43,20032%16%
67Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists8031,830$25,700 - 40,03012%3%
68Cost estimators8049,140$30,720 - 71,53019%32%
69Bartenders8016,490$13,030 - 20,78011%17%
70Fire fighters8026,420$17,090 - 44,11012%18%
71Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators7031,070$22,120 - 42,2509%0%
72Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters7022,400$17,040 - 30,48012%3%
73Kindergarten teachers, except special education7042,960$29,660 - 56,87016%43%
74Dental assistants7031,720$21,950 - 48,11029%9%
75Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers7014,930$12,820 - 18,44012%6%
76Industrial machinery mechanics7036,360$23,270 - 50,4609%5%
77First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers7023,290$18,770 - 26,63013%11%
78Insurance sales agents7051,330$27,730 - 81,69013%45%
79Medical secretaries7023,870$21,310 - 26,64017%18%
80Roofers7023,870$20,740 - 27,01014%3%
81Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products7051,510$31,670 - 67,5700%42%
82Recreation workers7022,960$13,730 - 40,19013%47%
83Medical records and health information technicians7024,160$17,390 - 32,44018%12%
84Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders7023,490$21,210 - 25,960-4%4%
85Interviewers, except eligibility and loan6023,730$21,310 - 25,99010%24%
86Loan interviewers and clerks6027,810$18,900 - 34,1400%24%
87Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing6022,450$17,600 - 28,0206%0%
88Dental hygienists6048,580$23,830 - 64,06030%33%
89Payroll and timekeeping clerks6029,020$18,670 - 42,5103%18%
90Machinists6033,000$22,930 - 49,210-2%3%
91Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers5019,450$15,130 - 25,41012%0%
92Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines5030,890$17,320 - 47,64012%3%
93Industrial engineering technicians5047,240$36,800 - 60,11010%18%
94Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators5027,110$17,360 - 34,54014%8%
95Sales representatives, services, all other5040,290$21,470 - 74,55028%48%
96First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand5041,710$27,450 - 64,12013%17%
97Physicians and surgeons, all other50179,800$122,950 - 0%0%
98Automotive body and related repairers5036,940$15,030 - 61,63012%3%
99Loan officers5049,970$27,800 - 79,56012%49%
100Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping5031,130$21,640 - 46,64011%29%
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Jobs More Common Near Sumter Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Electrical power-line installers and repairers41,95028016.5
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,6202705.8
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders26,4301005.5
Cooks, fast food14,9205905.2
Correctional officers and jailers30,2102205.1
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers24,7203603.7
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers50,8003503.6
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand20,8901,7603.5
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18,7701503.2
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop16,9603402.9
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators28,9302102.7
Child care workers14,9003302.6
Parts salespersons22,6701202.5
Construction managers86,1801302.5
Team assemblers29,8105502.5
Industrial truck and tractor operators26,6003202.5
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers25,8501802.4
Maintenance and repair workers, general30,2306702.4
Construction laborers23,1505202.4
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education41,1003102.3
Cement masons and concrete finishers31,3101002.3
Cooks, institution and cafeteria17,3301602.3
Educational, vocational, and school counselors41,3401102.1
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers32,2401202.1
Tellers21,7302602.1
Child, family, and school social workers34,1001101.9
Cashiers16,0301,4201.9
Food preparation workers16,6403401.8
Home health aides16,4503301.7
Teachers and instructors, all other17,0101801.7
Packers and packagers, hand24,0002701.7
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters31,3901601.6
Postal service mail carriers 1201.6
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers43,7002101.6
Office clerks, general20,5409801.5
Automotive service technicians and mechanics28,4802101.5
Elementary school teachers, except special education41,6304401.5
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers34,3803701.4
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive26,5305901.4
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers28,1502501.4
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses34,8802101.4
Dishwashers15,2901601.4
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16,0301101.4
Teacher assistants17,2003501.3
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer34,6504501.3
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners17,4106201.3
Truck drivers, light or delivery services24,7502601.3
General and operations managers88,2804701.3
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers49,4401601.3
Retail salespersons21,6201,2401.2

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Sumter, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Packers and packagers, hand24,0001.18270
Team assemblers29,8101.09550
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,6201.09270
Construction managers86,1801.02130
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers43,2500.96320
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers23,2000.96160
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,2600.95200
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop16,9600.95340
Registered nurses58,4700.95590
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18,7700.94150
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators28,3200.93130
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers28,1500.93250
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,0300.93460
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer34,6500.92450
Tellers21,7300.92260
General and operations managers88,2800.92470
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive26,5300.91590
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks29,0600.91390
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16,0300.9110
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers50,8000.89350
Counter and rental clerks20,7900.89110
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers34,3800.89370
Dishwashers15,2900.89160
Retail salespersons21,6200.891,240
Industrial truck and tractor operators26,6000.89320
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses34,8800.88210
Maintenance and repair workers, general30,2300.88670
Receptionists and information clerks20,9600.88290
Accountants and auditors51,7600.87140
Food preparation workers16,6400.87340
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products48,9000.87220
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand20,8900.871,760
Cashiers16,0300.861,420
Cooks, fast food14,9200.86590
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants33,2000.86150
Truck drivers, light or delivery services24,7500.85260
Stock clerks and order fillers19,4600.85380
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers49,4400.85160
Customer service representatives25,1600.85290
Child, family, and school social workers34,1000.84110
Elementary school teachers, except special education41,6300.84440
Medical assistants23,3600.83120
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks23,6900.83140
Cooks, restaurant18,0300.83150
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants19,8400.83340
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers43,7000.83210
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education41,1000.82310
Waiters and waitresses15,1900.81410
Office clerks, general20,5400.81980
Educational, vocational, and school counselors41,3400.8110

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