Jobs in New Jersey declined, unemployment rose to 4.9% in June

The jobs market in New Jersey turned south in June. Preliminary labor market estimates for June, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicate that total nonfarm employment decreased by 9,700 jobs to a seasonally adjusted level of 4,382,600 jobs, while the state’s unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 4.9%. Updated estimates of total nonfarm employment in May in New Jersey saw a downward revision.

Sectors that recorded job losses in June include trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,200), other services (-2,200), leisure and hospitality (-1,300), construction (-900), and information (-400). Professional and business services as well as manufacturing recorded no change for the month. The public sector posted a loss of 2,900 jobs for June. Just two out of nine private industries recorded employment gains compared with May – private education and health services (+1,200) and financial activities (+1,000).

Over the past 12 months, New Jersey has added 7,000 nonfarm jobs. The private sector recorded a gain of 6,600 over that time. Three out of nine private sector industries posted an increase, including private education and health services (+33,300), financial activities (+1,100), and manufacturing (+100).

Year-over-year losses were in trade, transportation, and utilities (-9,200), construction (-6,300), information (-5,200), leisure and hospitality (-2,900), professional and business services (-2,200), and other services (-2,100). The public sector has notched a gain of 400 jobs over the past 12 months. 

Updated estimates of total nonfarm employment in May saw a downward revision of 1,600 jobs, resulting in a revised April-to-May monthly loss of 2,200. The state’s unemployment rate for May was unchanged at 4.8%, tied for eighth among states with the highest jobless rate. 

In June, the United States added 147,000 jobs and unemployment dipped to 4.1% from 4.2%, despite fear of the impact of President Trump’s tariff strategy, federal layoffs, and the immigration crackdown. The rate has been in a narrow 4.0% to 4.2% range since May 2024 and has been consistently at least 0.5% below New Jersey’s unemployment rate. 

Preliminary BLS job estimates data for July for New Jersey will be released on Aug. 14.