TRENTON, NJ-Private employers added 10,400 jobs in March and the unemployment rate dropped to 9%, from 9.3% a month earlier, according to preliminary statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Once again, jobs and unemployment are moving in the right directions, reflecting the growing strength in the state's economy,” said Charles Steindel, chief economist for the state Treasury department.
The preliminary statistics do tend to change, however. For example, February's estimates were revised downward at the time preliminary statistics were released for March. There was a total employment gain of 9,400 jobs for that month, down 3,500 from what had been estimated.
Looking longer term, during the 12-month period of March 2012 to 2013, 44,600 private-sector jobs were added in the state, according to statistics issued Thursday. Also, in the two years since the lowest point of the recession in February 2010, a total of 127,800 jobs have been added.
“Our labor force participation rate and employment-population rate remain well above the national averages, and higher than a year ago,” noted Steindel in a release.
There were job gains in these industry sectors: leisure and hospitality, adding 5,500 jobs; education and health services, 4,000; manufacturing, 2,900; construction 900; financial activities, 200; other services, 400 positions.
These sectors lost jobs: information, 2,000 jobs; professional and business services, 1,100 positions; trade, transportation and utilities, 500 jobs. Public-sector jobs decreased by 2,300 positions last month.
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