Preliminary employment estimates for September, delayed due to the federal government shutdown, indicate continued job growth in New Jersey’s labor market, with the state adding a net total of 10,900 nonfarm jobs. Total nonfarm employment reached a seasonally adjusted level of 4,401,800.
However, the report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also noted a slight increase in the state’s jobless rate, which rose by 0.2 percentage points to 5.2 percent in September, up from a revised rate of 5.0 percent in August.
The August employment estimates were also revised upward by 1,700 jobs, boosting the monthly gain from July to August to 6,600.
In September, job growth was widespread across the private sector, with seven out of nine private industry sectors recording employment gains compared to the previous month:
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Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +3,200
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Private Education and Health Services: +2,500
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Leisure and Hospitality: +1,800
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Construction: +500
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Manufacturing: +500
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Financial Activities: +500
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Other Services: +200
The public sector also contributed significantly to the monthly total, recording a gain of 5,300 jobs for September.
The sectors that recorded job losses were Professional and Business Services (-3,400) and Information (-200).
Over the 12-month period ending in September, New Jersey added a total of 26,400 nonfarm jobs. This growth was entirely driven by the private sector, which added 29,200 jobs, while the public sector recorded a loss of 2,800 jobs.
Sector growth over the past year was led by:
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Private Education and Health Services: +28,500
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Professional and Business Services: +13,400
Conversely, the most substantial year-over-year job losses were seen in:
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Construction: -10,000
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Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: -6,400
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Information: -5,400
The next labor market estimate release, including preliminary data for October and November, is currently scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026.
