Largest Employers in Charleston, SC
As a growing city, Charleston, SC has a number of fairly large employers that play a vital role in the city’s economy. Whether they are public sector, or government jobs, private sector jobs, or manufacturing jobs, each of these employers contributes in large part to the overall economic stability of Charleston.
See here a guide to the largest employers in Charleston, SC, broken down into Public Sector, Private Sector, and Manufacturing Employers.
All information sourced from the Charleston County Economic Development Department, as of May 2023.
9 Largest Public Sector Employers
These are the largest public sector employers in Charleston, SC.
1. Joint Base Charleston – 22,000 employees
Joint Base Charleston is a military installation that serves as a hub for a variety of U.S. military commands, including the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
2. Medical University Of South Carolina (MUSC) – 16,000 employees
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is a world-class medical center that offers a range of healthcare services, post-secondary education, and research.
3. Charleston County School District – 5,900 employees
Charleston County School District is responsible for providing education to over 50,000 students across 90 schools in the Charleston area. With over 5,900 employees, it is one of the largest school districts in South Carolina.
4. Charleston County – 2,700 employees
Charleston County is the local government for the Charleston area, providing a range of services to residents, including public safety, parks and recreation, and waste management.
5. College of Charleston – 2,000 employees
College of Charleston is a public university that offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. Extra Chill’s founder, Chris Huber, graduated from there.
6. U.S. Postal Service – 2,000 employees
U.S. Postal Service is a government agency responsible for providing mail and package delivery services across the United States.
7. City of Charleston – 1,700 employees
City of Charleston is the local government for the city of Charleston, providing a range of services to residents, including public safety, transportation, and community development.
8. City of North Charleston – 1,200 employees
City of North Charleston is the local government for the city of North Charleston, providing a range of services to residents, including public safety, transportation, and community development.
9. Trident Technical College – 1,200 employees
Trident Technical College is a public college that offers a range of vocational and technical programs, as well as associate’s degrees and transfer programs.
9 Largest Private Sector Employers
These are the largest private employers in Charleston, SC.
1. Roper St. Francis Healthcare – 6,000 employees
Roper St. Francis Healthcare is a healthcare system that operates two hospitals, Roper Hospital and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, in the Charleston area. With over 6,000 employees, it is the largest private sector employer in Charleston.
2. The Boeing Company – 6,465 employees
The Boeing Company is a leading aircraft manufacturer that operates a production facility in North Charleston, producing commercial aircraft for customers around the world.
3. Trident Health System – 2,600 employees
Trident Health System is a healthcare system that operates several hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Charleston area, providing a range of healthcare services.
4. Walmart Inc. – 2,300 employees
Walmart, the global retail corporation that we all know operates several stores in the Charleston area, providing a range of retail merchandise and groceries to customers all throughout the region.
5. Robert Bosch LLC – 1,600 employees
Robert Bosch LLC is a leading manufacturer of automotive parts, including antilock brake systems and fuel injectors, with a production facility in the Charleston area.
6. Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC – 1,600 employees
Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC is a leading manufacturer of Sprinter vans, producing vehicles for the U.S. market at a production facility in North Charleston.
7. Publix Supermarkets – 1,200 employees
Publix Supermarkets is a retail grocery chain that operates several stores in the Charleston area, providing a range of groceries and household items to customers.
8. iQor – 1,200 employees
iQor is a leading provider of customer service and support, operating an inbound/outbound call center in the Charleston area.
9. T-Mobile USA – 1,200 employees
T-Mobile USA is a leading provider of wireless communications services, operating an inbound/outbound customer service center in the Charleston area.
7 Largest Manufacturing Employers
These are the largest manufacturing employers in Charleston, SC.
1. The Boeing Company – 6,465 employees
Also a private sector company, the Boeing Company is the largest manufacturing employer in Charleston, SC, with its plant in North Charleston just outside the airport itself.
2. Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC – 1,600 employees
Another crossover from the top private sector list is Mercedes, manufacturing their Sprinter vans at a production facility in North Charleston.
3. Cummins Turbo Technologies – 600 employees
Cummins Turbo Technologies is a manufacturer of turbochargers and air compressors, serving a variety of industries including automotive, marine, and power generation.
4. Mahle Behr – 900 employees
Mahle Behr is a leading manufacturer of engine cooling systems for the automotive industry, with a production facility in the Charleston area.
5. Ingevity – 520 employees
Ingevity is a specialty chemicals manufacturer with its global headquarters located in North Charleston, producing materials that are used in a variety of industries including automotive, oil and gas, and pavement preservation.
6. WestRock – 500 employees
WestRock is a manufacturer of paper, packaging, and forest products, with a production facility located in North Charleston.
7. Detyens Shipyards, Inc. (DSI) – 400 employees
Detyens Shipyards, Inc. (DSI) is a shipyard that provides general ship repairs and modifications to commercial and military vessels.