[2][3] Early in her career, Stanton worked as a labor and employment attorney in both the public and private sectors.

[2] In 2013, Stanton was appointed as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce by governor Nikki Haley.

She also partnered with the South Carolina Department of Corrections to establish the Second Chance program, which helps inmates who are preparing to be released from prison to search for work and secure jobs after incarceration.

[2][5] On November 26, 2018, South Carolina governor Henry McMaster announced the resignation of Cheryl Stanton from her position at the Department of Employment and Workforce.

[6] Stanton was confirmed by the Senate for the position of Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division for the United States Department of Labor on April 10, 2019.