New Jersey experienced a net loss of 300 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percentage points to 4.5% in June, according to preliminary data produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and released Thursday by state officials.
In June, five out of nine private industry sectors recorded net employment gains. Those sectors were professional and business services (+3,700), private education and health services (+3,600), construction (+500), manufacturing (+500), and other services (+500).
However, these gains were offset by private sector losses in June in trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,200); leisure and hospitality (-3,700); information (-900); and financial activities (-300). The public sector also lost 100 jobs in June.
Total statewide nonfarm employment in June stood at 4,387,000, which represents a net increase of 8,000 jobs compared to June of 2025. The private sector had a net gain of 10,100 jobs over the past 12 months, while the public sector had a net loss of 2,100 jobs.
Only two private industry sectors have recorded year-over-year job gains: private education and health services (+31,000) and professional and business services (+6,100).
Year-over-year losses were recorded in trade, transportation, and utilities (-8,400); manufacturing (-4,600); leisure and hospitality (-3,900); information (-3,300); construction (-3,000); financial activities (-3,000); and other services (-800).
The report also revised downward the previously released preliminary job estimates for May to show a gain of only 1,400 jobs that month, not 2,200. The adjustment did not change the previously reported 4.7% unemployment rate for May.
The national unemployment rate for June was 4.2%, which is 0.3 percentage points lower than New Jersey’s rate.
