New Jersey had a net loss of 2,700 jobs during the month of March and the state’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.7%, according to preliminary U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday by the state labor officials.
The 0.1 percentage point rise in the state’s unemployment is the first increase in the jobless rate since May of 2024. New Jersey’s 4.7% unemployment rate also exceeds the national rate, which was 4.2% in March.
Total New Jersey nonfarm employment was 4,393,800. Two of nine private industry sectors recorded job gains in March compared to February: education and health services (+2,700) and other services (+1,000). The public sector gained 700 jobs.
Job losses occurred in leisure and hospitality (-3,600); construction (-1,200); professional and business services (-1,000); manufacturing (-600); financial activities (-400); trade, transportation, and utilities (-100); and information (-100).
The government’s preliminary job estimates for February were also downwardly revised by 5,500 jobs for a gain of 13,700 jobs instead of the 19,200 previously reported for that month. The revision did not affect the 4.6% state unemployment rate for February.
Over the past 12 months, New Jersey has added 33,800 nonfarm jobs, with 76% of those in the private sector. Between March 2024 and March 2025 five private sector industries had gains: private education and health services (+35,800), other services (+2,600), trade, transportation, and utilities (+900), manufacturing (+500), and financial activities (+100).
Year-over-year losses were recorded in these four sectors: information (-4,900); professional and business services (-4,900); construction (-2,400); and leisure and hospitality (-1,900).
The public sector has recorded a gain of 8,000 jobs over the same 12-month period.
The average manufacturing production wage was $26.55 per hour in March, compared to $26.14 in February and $25.56 one year ago in March of 2024.
