South Carolina's commercial transportation sector: Port of Charleston, BMW/Volvo manufacturing, military. 42,000+ heavy truck drivers serve the state.
42,000+
CDL Drivers
$68B
Freight Value
5.5%
Growth Rate
10%
Hispanic Workforce
| City | Drivers | Growth | Industry Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 12,000+ | 6.2%/yr | Port operations, manufacturing |
| Greenville-Spartanburg | 10,000+ | 5.8%/yr | BMW plant, I-85 corridor |
| Columbia | 8,000+ | 4.5%/yr | State capital, Fort Jackson |
| Myrtle Beach | 4,000+ | 4.0%/yr | Tourism logistics |
Average costs by metro area and program type
| Metro | Private School | Community College | Sponsored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $2,500-$6,000 | $1,200-$3,500 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Greenville | $2,500-$5,500 | $1,200-$3,000 | BMW vendor programs |
| Columbia | $2,000-$5,000 | $1,000-$3,000 | Military transition programs |
SC Works centers provide WIOA funding for CDL training.
SC has 400,000+ veterans near Fort Jackson, Shaw AFB, and Parris Island.
State-funded customized workforce training at no cost to qualifying employers.
Administered by South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Port of Charleston is the fastest-growing container port on the East Coast
BMW Spartanburg is the largest BMW plant globally — JIT delivery critical
I-85 corridor is a major manufacturing freight route with high enforcement
Hurricane season affects coastal operations from Charleston to Myrtle Beach
42,000+ drivers. 5.5% annual growth. Zero upfront investment.
“Charleston port growth mirrors Savannah. Our academy serves 150+ companies. Revenue: $12,500/month.”
— Daniel Lee, Palmetto CDL Academy
Compare DOT compliance requirements and training costs in states bordering South Carolina.