Employment levels in New Jersey increased in April as employers added 11,800 jobs to their payrolls, according to preliminary estimates produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The April job gain was widespread across industries and represents the sixth monthly increase in the past seven months. The state’s unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points over the month to 3.9 percent.

Total nonfarm wage and salary employment increased reached a seasonally adjusted level of 4,204,300 in April. Employment gains were recorded in both the private (+10,900) and public (+900) sectors of the state’s economy. Looking at the longer term, from April 2018 to April of this year, New Jersey employment increased by 56,300.

Based on more complete reporting from employers, the previously released total nonfarm employment estimate for March was revised higher by 2,700, to show an over-the-month (February – March) increase of 6,300 jobs. Preliminary estimates had indicated an over-the-month increase of 3,600 jobs. The state’s revised March unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent.

In April, employment gains were recorded in seven out of nine major private industry sectors. Over-the-month gains were recorded in the professional and business services (+4,500), leisure and hospitality (+4,100), education and health services (+1,800), other services (+1,500), manufacturing (+1,100), trade, transportation and utilities (+500), and information (+200) industry sectors. Job losses over the month were recorded in financial activities (-2,300) and construction (-400). Public sector employment was higher by 900 over the month, with small gains at the state (+600) and local (+400) levels.

Preliminary BLS data for May will be released on June 20.