TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey employers added 5,700 jobs in December as the state closed out 2025 with modest employment growth, according to preliminary federal data released this month.
The seasonally adjusted job total rose to 4,402,200 in December, while the state’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.4%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary estimates show.
Revised data for November showed an upward revision of 500 jobs, resulting in a revised October-to-November loss of 1,200 jobs. The unemployment rate for November also remained 5.4%, the data show.
Five of nine private industry sectors posted job gains in December, led by leisure and hospitality, up 3,000 jobs, and private education and health services, up 2,800. Professional and business services increased by 2,500 jobs, financial activities gained 600, and information added 300, according to the estimates.
Sectors that recorded job losses in December included trade, transportation and utilities, down 3,200 jobs; manufacturing, down 500; construction, down 100; and other services, down 100. The public sector increased by 400 jobs for the month, the estimates show.
Over the past year, New Jersey added 9,000 nonfarm jobs, with private-sector employment increasing by 9,200 jobs. Private education and health services posted the largest year-over-year gain, up 28,400 jobs, followed by professional and business services, up 8,900, the data show.
Year-over-year losses were recorded in construction, down 10,200 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities, down 9,800; other services, down 3,500; information, down 3,400; manufacturing, down 600; financial activities, down 300; and leisure and hospitality, down 200. The public sector declined by 200 jobs over the 12-month period, the estimates show.
Preliminary employment estimates for January 2026, along with benchmark revisions for 2025 and earlier years, are tentatively planned for release in early April, pending an official schedule announcement from the BLS.
