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New Jersey adds 5,600 jobs in April; unemployment rate dips to 4.8%

The state’s unemployment rate fell to 4.8%, down from 4.9% in March.

Derek Callahan

May 21, 2026, 1:16 PM

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New Jersey added 5,600 nonfarm jobs in April, bringing the state’s seasonally adjusted employment level to 4,384,500, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The state’s unemployment rate fell to 4.8%, down from 4.9% in March.

State officials said five of nine private industry sectors added jobs in April. Professional and business services gained 5,900 jobs, followed by private education and health services with 2,600 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,100 jobs, manufacturing added 900 and other services added 500.

Job losses were reported in leisure and hospitality, which lost 3,300 jobs; construction, which lost 1,500; information, which lost 600; and financial activities, which lost 100. The public sector added 100 jobs.

March employment estimates were revised downward to show a gain of 3,100 jobs, instead of the previously estimated 5,800.

Over the year, New Jersey’s private sector added 8,500 jobs. The next preliminary estimates for May are scheduled to be released June 18.

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