The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced on May 21 that preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show nonfarm payrolls in New Jersey increased by 5,600 jobs in April, bringing the seasonally adjusted total to 4,384,500 nonfarm positions. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 4.8 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from March.
Revised figures for March indicate a gain of 3,100 nonfarm jobs rather than the previously estimated increase of 5,800 positions. The unemployment rate for March remained at 4.9 percent.
Five out of nine private industry sectors saw job growth over the month: professional and business services added 5,900 jobs; private education and health services grew by 2,600; trade, transportation and utilities increased by 1,100; manufacturing gained 900; and other services rose by 500 positions. Sectors experiencing losses included leisure and hospitality (down by 3,300), construction (down by 1,500), information (down by 600), and financial activities (down by100). The public sector recorded a modest gain of100 jobs during April.
Over the past year, New Jersey’s private sector added a net total of8,500 jobs. Gains were reported in private education and health services (+29,800) as well as professional and business services (+3,700). Losses occurred across several sectors including trade, transportation and utilities (-6,100); construction (-4,900); manufacturing (-4,400); leisure and hospitality (-4 ,400); financial activities (-2 ,300); other services (-1 ,700);and information(-1 ,100).The public sector lost approximately4 ,800jobs during this period.
Industry employment data are derived from the Current Employment Statistics survey conducted monthly among about4 ,000 businesses statewide.The survey provides estimates on employment,hours,and earnings broken down by industry.Resident employment figures come mainly from the Current Population Survey administered monthly under contract with BLS.Both sets of estimates are revised each month based on updated reports,and benchmarked annually using administrative records.For more details on seasonal adjustment methods used in these statistics,the department refers readers to additional resources provided online.
Preliminary data for May will be released June18.
