New Jersey Private Sector Employers Added 12,200 Jobs in May

On Jun 18, 2015

Total employment in New Jersey grew for an 11^th consecutive month as private sector employers added 12,200 jobs in May, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that shows a growth of 198,000 private sector jobs since the recessionary low point for private sector employment in February 2010.

Private sector employers in the Garden State have added 42,400 jobs over the past year (May 2014 – May 2015), boosting private sector employment to its highest level since August 2008 and increasing total nonfarm employment in New Jersey to a seasonally adjusted level of 4,012,400, as measured by the BLS monthly employer survey.

The number of people employed or actively seeking work in New Jersey also continued to rise in May, as the state’s labor participation rate ticked up to 64.3 percent, outperforming the national rate which stands at 62.9 percent. The state’s unemployment rate held at 6.5 percent.

Based on more complete reporting from employers, previously released estimates for April were revised to show an over-the-month (March – April) total nonfarm employment gain of 3,900 instead of 4,300.

In May, private sector job growth was posted in seven of nine major industry sectors. Industries that recorded employment gains included education and health services (+2,700), professional and business services (+2,600), financial activities (+2,100), other services (+2,100), trade, transportation and utilities (+1,800), leisure and hospitality (+1,100), and manufacturing (+600). Industries that experienced job contraction were construction (-700) and information (-200). Public sector employment was lower by -2,100 jobs, with the majority of the contraction occurring at the state government level (-1,100).

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