The New Jersey Employment Report for September 2026 was recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, showing an increase of 14,900 jobs in the Garden State. The state’s unemployment rate also fell by 0.1% from August, down to 4.2%.
Within the past month, six of the nine private industry sectors reported employment gains. This includes private education and health services, which added 7,200 jobs, professional and business services, which added 7,100 jobs, as well as leisure and hospitality, which added 5,500 jobs. The other three sectors that saw increases were manufacturing, adding 1,000 jobs, construction adding 500 and other services also adding 1,000 jobs.
The three sectors that saw a loss in employment over the past month were trade, transportation and utilities, which saw the biggest drop, losing 5,100 jobs. Information lost 1,100 jobs and financial activities lost 100 jobs.
Over the year, New Jersey has recorded a total nonfarm gain of 3,600 jobs, including a gain of 6,900 jobs from the private sector. The most significant increase came in the private education and health services industry, which saw an increase of 30,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality has also seen a yearly increase, adding 2,400 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities, information, construction, financial activities, manufacturing, professional and business services and other services have all posted a year-over-year decrease.
At the start of 2026, New Jersey’s unemployment rate sat at 5.2%. Throughout the duration of that year, the number has been steadily declining, reaching its lowest point since May 2023. This puts the Garden State’s unemployment rate at the same number as the U.S. employment rate, after being above it for the entire year.