New Jersey added just over 5,000 jobs in March, according to the latest report from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The Labor Department said unemployment was level from February at 4.6 percent, above the national rate of 4.1 percent.
The job gains included 4,200 positions in the private sector and 900 public jobs, based on preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Among industries, leisure and hospitality led the way, with 3,800 new jobs. Professional and business services added 2,100 jobs, while manufacturing added 1,200 and trade, transportation and utilities added 1,100. However, five of the nine major sectors posted losses, led by construction at -1,400 jobs, other services at -1,200 jobs and education and health services at -1,000 jobs. The information and financial activities sectors shrank by 200 jobs each.
Over the March-to-March year, the state gained 67,100 jobs, the Labor Department said.
It added that February’s job gains were revised downward from the estimated 15,800 jobs to an increase of 13,000 jobs.
