New Jersey lost an estimated 9,700 jobs in June, mostly in the private sector, and the state's unemployment rate has increased from 4.8% to 4.9%, according to federal data released Thursday by state labor officials.
Preliminary estimates previously released for May were also downwardly revised on Thursday, resulting in a monthly loss of 2,200 jobs for May. This change did not affect the 4.8% state unemployment rate previously reported for May.
New Jersey employment now stands at 4,382,600 jobs. Most of the 9,700 jobs lost in June were in the private sector (70%).
Only two of nine private industries reported employment gains in June: private education and health services (+1,200) and financial activities (+1,000).
Private sector job losses 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 private sector lost a total of 6,800 jobs in June. The public sector also lost 2,900 jobs.
Compared to a year ago when New Jersey unemployment stood at 4.6%, the state has seen a net gain of 7,000 jobs. Three of the nine private sector industries have recorded gains during the past 12 months: private education and health services (+33,000), financial activities (+1,100) and manufacturing (+100).
Six private sector industries have reported net losses during the past 12 months. Year-over-year losses have been recorded 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).
Public sector employment has increased by 400 jobs since June 2024.
