In April, New Jersey payrolls increased by 1,000 and the state’s unemployment rate edged higher by 0.2 percentage point to 5.0 percent equaling the United States rate which was down slightly from 5.1 percent in March.

Over the first four months of 2008, employment in New Jersey has followed the national trend, decreasing by 9,900 jobs; whereas nationally employment has declined by 260,000.

According to preliminary estimates from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s monthly survey of employers, total nonfarm employment in the Garden State increased by 1,000 in April to 4,072,700. Based on more complete reporting, the previously released March estimate was revised downward by 1,200 to 4,071,700, to reflect a loss of 200 jobs in March.

“New Jersey’s economy continued to follow the national trend in April with employment levels holding steady over the month,” said Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow

While April’s overall employment level was flat, there were notable job gains within individual supersectors. On the positive side, job gains were recorded in professional and business services (+2,800), education and health services (+1,500) and information (+900). The advance in professional and business services was mainly due to hiring in the administrative support/waste management/remediation component, which added 2,500 jobs over the month. In education and health services, gains were recorded in both major sectors, health care and social assistance (+900) and educational services (+600).

April’s employment figures showed downward movement in the following supersectors: trade, transportation and utilities (-1,400), manufacturing (-1,200), and construction        (-800). The majority of the loss in trade, transportation and utilities occurred in the retail trade component (-1,000), while the loss in manufacturing was mainly felt in the durable goods sector (-900). The job loss in construction continues to be reflective of the slowdown in the residential housing market.

Over the month, the unadjusted workweek for manufacturing workers rose by 0.3 hours to 42.0 hours, average hourly earnings decreased by $0.02 to $17.75 and weekly earnings increased by $4.49 to $745.50. Compared with April of last year, the unadjusted workweek was up by 1.0 hours, average hourly earnings rose by $0.73 and weekly earnings were higher by $47.68.

Press Release Tables