NJ Unemployment Rate Edges Lower to 7.5%

Fourth Straight Month of Jobs Gains Reported in April

On May 20, 2021

Preliminary estimates produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that total nonfarm wage and salary employment in New Jersey increased in April by 3,900 jobs to reach a seasonally adjusted level of 3,900,800. The gains were concentrated in the private sector (+3,500) of the state’s economy. Although modest, the April increase marks the fourth consecutive month of gains in the state’s total nonfarm job level.

New Jersey has now recovered 388,400 jobs, or about 54% of the number lost in March and April 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and measures taken in response to it. The state’s unemployment rate dipped lower by 0.1 percentage point in April to 7.5%. See the technical notes at the end of this release for further information about the impact of the coronavirus on this month’s employment estimates.

Based on more complete reporting from employers, previously released total nonfarm employment estimates for March were revised slightly lower by 400 to show an over-the-month (February – March) increase of 20,400 jobs. Preliminary estimates had indicated an over-the-month gain of 20,800 jobs. The state’s March unemployment rate was revised lower by 0.1 percentage point to 7.6%.

In April, employment increases were recorded in six out of nine major private sectors. Sectors that recorded employment increases include leisure and hospitality (+3,000), education and health services (+900), information (+700), construction (+400), professional and business services (+100), and other services (+100). Employment decreases were reported in trade, transportation, and utilities (-800), manufacturing (-500), and financial activities (-400). Over the month, public sector employment increased by 400 jobs.

Preliminary BLS data for May 2021 will be released on June 17.

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