Job & Career Opportunities

If you’re looking for an abundance of career opportunities, the Charleston region is home to hundreds of companies eager to employ talented individuals like you. We’re one of the top places in the U.S. for manufacturing job growth, powered by global brands doing cutting-edge work. Volvo employs more than 2,000 people at its Ridgeville plant, where fully electric vehicles like the Volvo EX90 SUV and Polestar 3 are built — with plans to ramp up production with an additional 2,000 employees by 2030. Boeing also manufactures the 787 Dreamliner here — helping make Charleston a Top 10 mid-size metro for workforce growth in aircraft mechanics, computer hardware, and electrical engineering roles.

Healthcare and life sciences are just as strong, offering everything from patient-focused careers to research and innovation roles. Systems like Roper St. Francis and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) anchor a growing ecosystem that supports dozens of medical device and pharmaceutical companies through research, development, and commercialization. Across South Carolina, life sciences is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with 1,000+ companies and a 42% growth rate — creating real momentum for professionals who want to make an impact.

Then there’s logistics and supply chain, fueled by the Port of Charleston, the nation’s 8th largest container port and a major job engine for the region. More than 30,000 jobs are tied to port activity, alongside major distribution operations from Walmart, Amazon, XPO Logistics, Total Quality Logistics, and others.

Breaking into a new career often comes down to access to opportunity. The Charleston region has a broad range of career-focused training, including SC Works Trident. Managed by the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, SC Works has locations in North Charleston, Moncks Corner, and Summerville which can connect you to training, career coaching, and real job opportunities across the region’s most in-demand fields.

For those who prefer to learn on the job while earning a paycheck, Apprenticeship Carolina offers a proven pathway. As a division of the South Carolina Technical College System, it connects participants to occupation-specific, earn-while-you-learn training with more than 40 partnering companies. Since 2008, Apprenticeship Carolina has led more than 55,000 apprenticeships, seamlessly integrating talent into key industries like aerospace and automotive manufacturing, healthcare, IT, tourism, and logistics. The program has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a national model for apprenticeship expansion — making it a smart, practical option for launching or leveling up a career in the Charleston region.

Charleston’s tech scene is bigger and more connected than most people expect — making it an excellent place for high-paying software development and engineering jobs. More than 1,900 tech companies do business here, ranging from fast-moving startups to global names like Blackbaud, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Google. Since 2007, Google has invested $13.5 billion in the region and now employs more than 900 people across its data centers in Moncks Corner, Summerville, and St. George.

Cybersecurity and defense IT are also major drivers, fueled by the presence of Joint Base Charleston and the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC). Across the region, more than 17,000 people work in IT occupations,  supported by steady demand for talent in software, data, cloud infrastructure, and secure systems. And according to CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce 2025 Report, Charleston ranks #5 among U.S. metros for tech job growth between 2025 and 2035.

We build jets. Plain and simple.

Ever since Boeing broke ground in the North Charleston area in 2009, aerospace and aviation have been part of the Charleston region’s DNA. Today, Boeing employs thousands of people across multiple campuses, filling roles that range from assemblers and fabricators to electrical engineers and advanced manufacturing professionals. In late 2024, the company announced a $1 billion investment in its local operations, with plans to create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years.

Beyond Boeing, the region offers well-paying careers in aircraft mechanics, machining, and welding, supported by a growing network of aerospace suppliers. Companies like Safran, Parker, and TIGHITCO play a major role in boosting regional employment, working in areas such as electric and hybrid propulsion, precision design, fabrication, and component assembly. These firms also provide critical aftermarket services for commercial aircraft OEMs and military defense programs.

Thousands of businesses help make the Charleston region one of the Southeast’s hottest job markets, with real depth in aerospace, automotive, corporate services, IT, logistics, life sciences, and more. Global manufacturers like Bosch, Volvo Cars, and Mercedes-Benz Vans help create a thriving job market — supporting about 20,000 private-sector jobs and roughly 40% of regional manufacturing employment. South Carolina also leads the U.S. in the concentration of foreign direct investment jobs, reinforcing long-term demand across multiple sectors.

Momentum shows up in the region’s high rankings and accolades. Charleston ranked in the Top 10 U.S. metros for job opportunities and earning potential, with a tech job market that ranks among the best in the nation. In life sciences, Charleston SC ranks No. 2 among mid-sized metros for pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing job growth with major employers like Thorne. We’re also the No. 3 mid-sized metro for job growth in Transportation Equipment Manufacturing.

Add in the fact that the region’s three counties consistently hold the lowest unemployment rates and highest job growth totals in the state, and you get a market built for confidence. If you’re looking for job security across diverse industries, the Charleston region offers it.