newjerseynewsroom.com

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

At least 9,300 New Jerseyans found work in February while 4,700 found themselves suddenly unemployed, leaving a gain of 4,600 jobs for the month, according to figures released Thursday by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The figures mean 3,897,200 people are employed, another 397,200 are jobless, and the unemployment rate remains at 9 percent.

“New Jersey employment is now moving up at a well-sustained rate,” state Chief Economist Charles Steindel said. “With over 74,000 new private sector jobs added since 2010, the last year, the number of private sector jobs in the state has reached a three-year high. Over the last six months, New Jersey’s job growth has kept pace with the nation’s.

And while we still have work to do to restore full health to our labor market, we are making real progress on that road.”

Private employers hired 9,300 people in February and laid off 3,700 while another 1,000 people lost government jobs, according to the Labor Department figures.

Five of 10 private sector industry sectors added jobs, three recorded losses while two were unchanged.

The gain in private sector employment was made entirely in the professional, scientific and technical services component, 3,700. Both components of leisure and hospitality -- arts, entertainment, and recreation gained 1,200 jobs, and accommodations and food services gained 1,900 jobs. Education and health services gained 3,300 jobs. Smaller gains were made in financial activities, 1,300, and construction, 1,300.

Employment declines were evidenced in manufacturing, 1,300, information, 800, and other services, 100. The loss in manufacturing was a result of job loss in the durable goods component, 1,500. Government employment by 1,000 jobs.

Over the month, the unadjusted workweek for production workers increased 0.5 hours to 41.6 hours, average hourly earnings were lower by $0.06 to $19.34 and weekly earnings expanded by $7.20 to $804.54. Compared to February of last year, the unadjusted workweek increased by 1.7 hour, average hourly earnings increased by $0.16 and weekly earnings were higher by $39.26.

New Jersey Business & Industry President Philip Kirschner said the 9,300 new jobs in February indicate employers are still behaving cautiously, indicating that the job-growth trend is a fragile one.

“New Jersey’s employment market is on its way back, and the economy is on the mend,” Kirschner said. “By maintaining a steady course in job growth, employers are showing more confidence in the state’s economy, and they hope it will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Policymakers in New Jersey have done a good job putting New Jersey in a position to capitalize on growth, but we still have a ways to go The job is not yet finished.”