Total employment in New Jersey increased by 10,600 jobs in June, according to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as the state’s unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent, below the national rate of 4.4 percent.

The increase in employment brings the total number of private sector jobs gained in the Garden State to 314,100 since the February 2010 low point for private sector employment during the most recent recession. The majority of the employment gains in June occurred in the private sector (+10,200), as total nonfarm wage and salary employment expanded to a seasonally adjusted level of 4,118,200.

The long-term data shows New Jersey’s private-sector employers have added 51,900 jobs over the past year (June 2016 – June 2017).

More complete reporting from employers has also adjusted the previously released May estimates higher by 4,000, to show an over-the-month (April-May) preliminary total nonfarm employment contraction of 9,100, instead of 13,100.

In June, job gains were widespread with seven of nine major private industry sectors posting increases. Sectors that increased included construction (+4,200), other services (+2,200), trade, transportation and utilities (+1,900), professional and business services (+1,200), manufacturing (+1,000), financial activities (+1,000), and information (+600). Two sectors recorded losses: leisure and hospitality (-1,500) and education health services (-400). Over the month, public-sector employment was higher by 400 jobs.

July 20, 2017.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Economic and Demographic Research.