Rock Hill Manufacturing, Warehouse Workers Enjoy Wage Increases

The manufacturing and warehouse industry in Rock Hill, York County, is witnessing a positive development as employees start to receive wage boosts. According to the recent annual wage and benefits survey conducted by York County Economic Development, the average entry-level hourly wage has seen a considerable increase over the past five years.

Revelations from the Survey

The survey, which covered 63 firms with a minimum of 10 employees, primarily from the manufacturing and distribution sectors, revealed a rise of just over $1 per hour in the average entry-level wage over five years. This increase translates to a seven percent raise every year. Besides, the average annual wage raise is pegged at five percent across the same period.

Participation in the survey rose by 10 percent from the previous year, even though only half of the 135 companies approached responded. Furthermore, the survey highlighted a significant 32 percent increase in wages for production managers and machine operators since 2019. However, metal treatment operators experienced a 27 percent wage loss in the same time frame, marking the most significant drop among approximately 20 occupations covered in the study.

New Industrial Developments in York County

York County is eager for the arrival of Pallidus, a New York-based silicon carbide wafer semiconductor manufacturer. The company, last year, made public its decision to shift its manufacturing operations and corporate headquarters to Rock Hill. This relocation will be accompanied by the addition of 400 new job opportunities. Despite no recent announcements about the move, Pallidus was granted incentives by the county and state in February 2023.

In Fort Mill, another manufacturing growth is taking shape with Silfab Solar set to introduce an additional 800 job opportunities at its solar panel manufacturing plant. Despite protests from local residents over the suitability of such an industrial process in a residential area and potential school sites, Silfab Solar continues to press forward with its plans.

Conversely, the county suffered a blow with approximately 200 manufacturing job losses following the announcement by Stanley Black & Decker to shut down its power tools plant. This shutdown marked the fourth-largest layoff in the state this year.

Takeaways from the Survey

As of July, York County’s unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent, slightly below the national and state averages. One key finding of the survey showed a significant decline in total job openings, continuing the trend observed in the previous year. This suggests that employers are filling vacancies effectively and potentially experiencing improved employee retention rates. The number of job openings was found to have decreased by 65 percent since the previous year, with clerical, administrative, and management positions most affected.

This wage and benefit survey, conducted annually, plays a vital role in collecting detailed workforce training and benefit information to guide the economic development initiatives of York County.