Trenton, August 19, 2009 -Employment in New Jersey grew in July, led by a gain of 13,000 jobs at private sector companies, ending a string of 17 consecutive monthly contractions dating back to January 2008. The private sector growth was tempered by a decline of 7,100 public sector jobs. The state’s unemployment rate in July was 9.3 percent, remaining below the national rate of 9.4 percent.

According to preliminary estimates from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s monthly survey of employers, nonfarm wage and salary employment in the Garden State increased by 5,900 jobs in July, to a total of 3,936,100. Over the month, six of ten private industry supersectors recorded gains while three realized losses; one was unchanged. The decrease in public sector employment was largely attributable to higher than expected summer separations in local government education.

“New Jersey’s private sector employment is trending in the right direction,” said Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow. “Governor Corzine’s economic recovery initiatives are fostering job creation, and the nation’s recovery program is helping to restore economic confidence.  As a result, New Jersey has laid the groundwork for a recovery marked by stronger job growth when the global recession ends.” 

Based on more complete reporting, the previously-released June estimate was revised lower by -1,000, for a revised May-to-June loss of -3,100. Since the beginning of the recession in December 2007, New Jersey has lost 150,100 jobs (-3.7%). Nationally, employment has declined by 6.7 million jobs (-4.8 %).

Considerable over-the-month job gains occurred in the leisure and hospitality (+6,200), construction (+3,400), professional and business services (+3,200), and manufacturing (+3,100) supersectors. Hiring in the arts, entertainment and recreation component (+5,300) was responsible for the gain in leisure and hospitality, while most of the growth in professional and business services employment was due to gains in the administrative support/waste management/remediation segment (+2,900). In construction, the job gains were mainly due to hiring by specialty trade contractors.

The only supersector to record a sizeable decrease over the month was trade, transportation and utilities (-4,500), due to losses in wholesale trade (-2,600) and transportation, warehousing and utilities (-1,900). Smaller contractions occurred in the financial activities (-600) and education and health services (-500) supersectors.

Over the month, the unadjusted workweek for manufacturing workers was unchanged at 41.4 hours, average hourly earnings decreased by -$0.15 to $18.38 and weekly earnings were down by -$6.21 to $760.93. Compared with July of last year, the unadjusted workweek was lower by -0.4 hours, average hourly earnings increased by $0.50 and weekly earnings were higher by $13.55.

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