New Jersey employers added 5,700 jobs in December after two consecutive months of net job losses, according to preliminary data released by state officials. The state’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.4%.
The employment estimates, prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed that five out of nine private industry sectors saw job growth in December. These sectors included leisure and hospitality (up 3,000 jobs), private education and health services (up 2,800), professional and business services (up 2,500), financial activities (up 600), and information (up 300).
Other sectors experienced declines: trade, transportation, and utilities lost 3,200 jobs; manufacturing was down by 500; construction lost 100; and other services also declined by 100 jobs. The public sector reported a gain of 400 positions for the month.
Over the past year, New Jersey’s non-farm employment increased by 9,000 jobs overall. Private sector employment grew by 9,200 positions during this period. However, only two private industry sectors recorded net gains for all of 2025: private education and health services added 28,400 jobs while professional and business services increased by 8,900.
Net job losses over the last twelve months were noted in construction (down 10,200); trade, transportation, and utilities (down 9,800); other services (down 3,500); information (down 3,400); manufacturing (down 600); financial activities (down 300); and leisure and hospitality (down 200). The public sector saw a reduction of about 200 positions during this time.
Officials also revised previous estimates for November’s employment numbers. Instead of a loss of 1,700 jobs as initially reported for November, the updated figure is now a loss of only 1,200 jobs. October figures indicated a loss of about 3,600 positions.
Nationally, the unemployment rate stood at 4.4% in December—one percentage point lower than New Jersey’s rate for the same month. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its state-by-state comparison for December on January 27.
In November last year New Jersey had the second-highest unemployment rate among states at 5.4%, just behind California at 5.5%.
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association represents employers across various industries throughout New Jersey including manufacturing and services sectors. Established in February 1910 as the New Jersey Manufacturers Association before broadening its membership base in the mid-1970s,the organization provides advocacy efforts as well as resources to support business prosperity.NJBIA maintains its headquarters at 10 West Lafayette Street in Trenton.Michele Siekerka serves as president and chief executive officer.
