NEW JERSEY – Employment Gains Continue in March with Most Pre-Pandemic Jobs Recovered. Total nonfarm employment growth continued in March as New Jersey employers added 17,800 jobs for the month, marking the 16th consecutive month of job gains. Payrolls expanded by 17,800 jobs, almost all in the private sector.
Through the first three months of the year, employment growth totaled 58,400 jobs, according to estimates.
New Jersey has now recovered 679,400 jobs, or 93 percent of the number lost in March and April 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The state’s unemployment rate declined by 0.4 percentage points, to 4.2 percent.
Based on more complete reporting from employers, previously released total nonfarm employment estimates for February were revised higher by 3,300 jobs to show an over-the-month (January – February) increase of 29,200. Preliminary estimates indicated an over-the-month gain of 25,900 jobs.
The state’s February unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.6 percent.
In March, employment increases were recorded in eight out of nine major private industry sectors. Over-the-month gains were recorded in leisure and hospitality (+4,900); professional and business services (+4,300); trade, transportation, and utilities (+4,200); financial activities (+1,200); education and health services (+1,100); manufacturing (+1,000); other services (+700); and construction (+300). The information sector recorded no change. Public sector employment increased by 200 jobs.
Preliminary BLS data for April will be released on May 19, 2022.
