It wasn't much, but it also wasn't the right direction. Friday, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce said that the state unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percent from April to May 2011, jumping from 9.8 to 10. percent.

If it's any consolation, that mirrors the national rate rise from 9.0 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May, though, seeing the silver lining may seem difficult for those still scouring "help wanted" ads.

Nevertheless, SC employment officials stated in a press release that "a slight uptick in unemployment is typical for this time of year as college and high school graduates enter the labor pool, and more people seek seasonal work in tourism-related areas."

One could argue that proved to be the case in Horry County, home of one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country - the Grand Strand. The area not only drives the Horry County economy, but is the economic engine for the South Carolina's most profitable industry - tourism. The industry enjoyed the largest increase, adding about 6,600 jobs.

Out of 46 counties in the Palmetto state, Horry County ranked 30th in unemployment with 10.4 percent. The nearby Pee Dee region, familiar with high unemployment rates, saw three counties rank in the top 10 in jobless rates. Marion County led the state in unemployment with 19.0 percent, Marlboro County had the third highest with 17.3 percent, and Dillon County ranked eighth in the Palmetto State with 14.7 percent.

Other area counties include Darlington with 12.1 percent - ranking 21st, Florence County at 26th with an 11.0 percent unemployment rate and Georgetown County at 27th with 10.7 percent.

To see a complete county-by-county breakdown of the unemployment numbers, click here and scroll to the bottom of the press release.