NEW JERSEY — New Jersey lost 1,700 nonfarm jobs in August while the state’s unemployment rate declined slightly to 4.3%, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The state had a seasonally adjusted total of 4,359,600 nonfarm jobs in August. The unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points from 4.4% in July.
July employment estimates were revised to show New Jersey lost 21,900 jobs from June to July, an improvement from the preliminary estimate of 25,600 jobs lost. The July unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.4%.
Private-sector employment increased by 200 jobs in August, with four of nine private industry sectors recording gains.
Leisure and hospitality added 3,400 jobs, followed by construction with 1,000, trade, transportation and utilities with 600, and other services with 500.
Professional and business services lost 3,500 jobs, while private education and health services declined by 1,400. Public-sector employment decreased by 1,900 jobs during the month.
Compared with August 2025, New Jersey had 9,900 fewer nonfarm jobs, including a loss of 13,100 private-sector jobs.
Private education and health services recorded the largest year-over-year increase, adding 22,900 jobs.
Year-over-year losses were recorded in professional and business services, down 7,700 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities, down 7,200; leisure and hospitality, down 6,100; construction, down 3,800; information, down 3,300; financial activities, down 3,100; manufacturing, down 3,000; and other services, down 1,800.
Public-sector employment increased by 3,200 jobs over the year.
Preliminary employment estimates for September are scheduled to be released Oct. 15.
