The data indicates New Jersey’s private sector employers have added 44,600 jobs over the past year (March 2012 – March 2013). Moreover, since February 2010, which was the recessionary low point for private sector employment, private sector employment has increased by 127,800 jobs.

“Once again, jobs and unemployment are moving in the right directions, reflecting the growing strength in the state’s economy. Our labor force participation rate and employment-population rate remain well above the national averages, and higher than a year ago,” said Charles Steindel, Chief Economist for the New Jersey Department of Treasury.

Preliminary monthly estimates indicate that total nonfarm wage and salary employment in New Jersey advanced in March, up by 8,100 jobs, to a seasonally adjusted 3,947,500, as measured by the BLS through its monthly employer survey. The gain was entirely due to hiring in the private sector of the state’s economy, as public sector employment in March dropped by 2,300 jobs. Declines were recorded at all three levels of government: federal (-800), state (-800), and local (-700).

In March, private sector job gains were posted in six of the state’s nine major industry sectors. Industries with substantial job gains included: leisure and hospitality (+5,500), education and health services (+4,000), and manufacturing (+2,900). Additional advances were recorded in construction (+900), other services (+400), financial activities (+200). Job contraction occurred in information (-2,000), professional and business services (-1,100), and trade, transportation and utilities (-500).

Based on more complete reporting from employers, previously released February estimates were revised lower, down by 3,500 jobs, to show an over-the-month (January  – February) total nonfarm employment gain of 9,400 jobs. Preliminary estimates had initially indicated an over-the-month gain of 12,900 jobs.

Over the month, the unadjusted workweek for production workers increased 0.5 hours to 40.3 hours, average hourly earnings were higher by $0.11 to $19.06 and weekly earnings rose by $13.91 to $768.12. Compared to March of last year, the unadjusted workweek decreased by 0.9 hours, average hourly earnings decreased by $0.21, and weekly earnings were lower by $25.80.

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).

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).

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 Compensation Law administrative records and other data.