The preliminary monthly gain leaves total payroll employment just 3,600 jobs above a year earlier, with annual growth concentrated in private education and health services.
TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey employers added an estimated 14,900 nonfarm jobs in September, while the state’s unemployment rate fell from 4.3% to 4.2%, according to preliminary figures released Oct. 15 by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The seasonally adjusted payroll total reached 4,377,400 jobs. Private employers added 16,000 positions during the month, while government employment declined by 1,100.
The monthly increase was substantially larger than the state’s net gain over the preceding year. The department’s accompanying tables show total payroll employment only 3,600 jobs above September 2025, as gains in a few industries offset losses elsewhere.
Private education and health services added 30,000 jobs over the year, and leisure and hospitality added 2,400. The other seven major private-sector groups recorded annual losses, led by trade, transportation and utilities, down 11,200, and information, down 4,500. Public employment fell 3,300 over the year.
September’s monthly gains and losses varied by industry:
| Industry | Change from August |
|---|---|
| Private education and health services | +7,200 |
| Professional and business services | +7,100 |
| Leisure and hospitality | +5,500 |
| Manufacturing | +1,000 |
| Other services | +1,000 |
| Construction | +500 |
| Trade, transportation and utilities | −5,100 |
| Information | −1,100 |
| Financial activities | −100 |
| Government | −1,100 |
The state’s September employment highlights put labor force participation at 63.7%. The rate measures the share of the civilian population age 16 and older, outside institutions, who are working or looking for work.
What the figures measure
Payroll employment and the unemployment rate come from different surveys. The employer survey estimates jobs, while household data are used to estimate resident employment and unemployment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that the household survey also includes categories excluded from payroll estimates, such as unincorporated self-employed workers and agricultural workers.
The unemployment measure generally includes people without jobs who are available and actively looking for work, along with people on temporary layoff. It is not limited to people collecting unemployment benefits.
The figures are preliminary and subject to revision as additional information becomes available. The department plans to release October estimates and revised September figures on Nov. 19.