Apr-14-10 March Employment Estimate Showed Loss of 3,100 Jobs; Unemployment Rate for the Month at 9.8 Percent
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According to preliminary estimates, total nonfarm wage and salary employment in New Jersey declined by 3,100 over the month to 3,849,800. Public sector jobholding fell by 2,500, while private sector employment was slightly lower by 600.
Based on more complete reporting, the employment estimates for February was revised downward by 500, revealing that in February, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,200 jobs to a total nonfarm employment of 3,852,900. The revised estimates also revealed that public sector employers shed 1,000 jobs, while private sector employers added 4,200 jobs. February’s unemployment rate of 9.8 percent was revised slightly higher by 0.1 percent to 9.9 percent.
In March, five of ten private sector industry supersectors recorded job losses, while the other half registered gains. Notable losses occurred in manufacturing (-3,400) jobs and education and health services (-1,000). In manufacturing, losses were concentrated in both the durable (-1,200) and nondurable (-2,200) components. In education and health services, losses occurred in both the educational services (-500) and healthcare and social services (-500) segments. Smaller losses occurred over the month in the professional and business services (-800), information (-400) and other services (-100) sectors.
Noteworthy job gains were recorded in trade, transportation and utilities (+2,500) and construction (+1,600). Gains in transportation, warehousing and utilities (+1,700) and retail trade (+700) were responsible for the jobs added in trade, transportation and utilities. Lesser gains occurred in leisure and hospitality (+600), financial activities (+300) and mining and logging (+100).
Over the month, public sector employment was lower by 2,500. Payrolls at the federal (-100) and state (-100) government levels were essentially unchanged; however, local government (includes county, municipal and local government education workers) was down by 2,300.
Over the month, the unadjusted workweek for manufacturing workers was increased by 0.3 to 40.0 hours, average hourly earnings decreased by -$0.06 to $18.96 and weekly earnings were up by $3.31 to $758.40. Compared with March of last year, the unadjusted workweek was lower by -1.3 hours, average hourly earnings increased by $0.43 and weekly earnings were lower by -$6.89.
Press Release Tables
Note: Estimates of industry employment and unemployment levels are arrived at through the use of two different monthly surveys.
Industry employment data are derived through the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor, which provides estimates of employment, hours, and earnings data broken down by industry for the nation as a whole, all states, and most major metropolitan areas (often referred to as the “establishment” survey). Through a Federal-State cooperative endeavor, the employment security agency in each state analyzes and publishes industry employment data reports detailing the CES data compiled by BLS, using concepts, definitions, and technical procedures prescribed by BLS.
Resident employment and unemployment data are mainly derived from the New Jersey portion of the national Current Population Survey (CPS), a household survey conducted each month by the US Census Bureau under contract with BLS, which provides input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program (often referred to as the “household” survey). Through a Federal-State cooperative endeavor, the employment security agency of each state analyzes and publishes reports detailing the LAUS data compiled by BLS using concepts, definitions, and technical procedures prescribed by BLS.
Both industry and household estimates are revised each month based on additional information from updated survey reports compiled by BLS. In addition, these estimates are benchmarked (revised) annually based on actual counts from New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance Compensation Law administrative records and other data.
