TRENTON, N.J. – Preliminary labor market estimates for July, produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicated gains in New Jersey’s labor market.
Total nonfarm employment increased in July by 7,500 jobs to a seasonally adjusted level of 4,385,400 jobs, while the state’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.9 percent.
Revised employment estimates for June were adjusted downward to a job loss of 14,400 (preliminary estimates were -9,700). The state’s unemployment rate for June remained unchanged at 4.9 percent.
In July, six out of nine private industries recorded employment gains compared to June. Those sectors were professional and business services (+7,700), leisure and hospitality (+3,000), other services (+2,500), manufacturing (+1,200), private education and health services (+500), and financial activities (+100). Industries that recorded job losses include construction (-1,600), trade, transportation, and utilities (-200), and information (-100). The public sector recorded a loss of 5,600 jobs for July.
Over the past 12 months, New Jersey has added 24,800 nonfarm jobs. The private sector recorded a gain of 32,000 over that time. Six out of nine private sector industries recorded a gain, including private education and health services (+32,100), professional and business services (+11,600), financial activities (+3,000), manufacturing (+2,500), other services (+1,400), and leisure and hospitality (+1,000). Losses were recorded year-over-year in construction (-8,000), trade, transportation, and utilities (-6,900), and information (-4,700). The public sector has recorded a loss of 7,200 jobs over the past 12 months.
Preliminary BLS estimates data for August will be released on September 18.
