Major Employers

Companies in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester continue to demonstrate confidence in the region through a steady wave of expansions across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, logistics, and advanced industries. These investments reflect more than growth — they signal long-term commitment to a market that delivers talent, infrastructure, and operational efficiency at scale.

In recent years, several high-profile employers have announced plans for expansion:

• Boeing launched a major infrastructure expansion in 2025, committing more than $1 billion to its local manufacturing complex and planning to add more than 1,000 jobs to support 787 Dreamliner production.
• Volvo Cars announced plans in 2025 to scale operations at its Ridgeville plant, introducing new models and upgraded technology. Since breaking ground in 2015, the company has invested more than $1.3 billion in the region.
• Eaton, a global power company supporting intelligent power management systems for commercial and military aircraft, announced a $46 million expansion in 2025. The expansion comes with expectations to create more than 50 new high-skilled jobs.
• Ingevity, a specialty chemicals and materials company headquartered in North Charleston, is investing $53.3 million over five years in its Charleston County manufacturing facility.
• Maars North America, a Dutch-based manufacturer of premium, customizable modular wall systems for commercial interiors, announced in 2025 that it will invest $3 million in the Charleston region.
• Charles River Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing provider, is expanding its operations in Charleston County with a $13 million investment in a new microbial solutions facility.

Supported by a skilled and growing workforce, customized training programs, and globally-connected logistics infrastructure, the Charleston region continues to provide a stable environment for companies expanding operations and planning for long-term growth.

Major employers anchor Charleston’s economy and help fuel growth across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, IT, and professional services. Global companies and major institutions operate across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, creating a diverse employment base that supports continued regional growth.

Boeing is one of the region’s largest private-sector and aerospace employers, with more than 9,000 employees supporting production of the 787 Dreamliner and a growing network of aviation suppliers and manufacturers throughout the region.

The life sciences industry is anchored by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the state’s largest healthcare system which employs approximately 17,000 people across clinical care, R&D, and postsecondary education.

Joint Base Charleston is another major employer, supporting nearly 25,000 military and civilian jobs and reinforcing the region’s role in national defense, logistics, and advanced technical operations.

Additional major employers include Volvo Cars, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Bosch, and several multinational manufacturers and logistics companies that continue to expand operations across the Charleston region.