New Jersey’s total job count grew by 12,300 jobs in August, according to a Thursday announcement from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Private sector job growth remained steady for the month at 6,700, but the state’s unemployment rate increased to 4.2% due to more residents joining the labor force and fewer residents being employed.
In August, gains in the private sector were broad, with seven out of nine major private industry sectors recording job growth:
- Leisure and hospitality +1,700;
- Professional and business services +1,500;
- Education and health services +1,400;
- Other services +1,100;
- Manufacturing +800;
- Information +600; and
- Financial activities +400.
Sectors recording losses were trade, transportation, and utilities (-400) and construction (-400).
