Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS state series; peaks in 1976, 1992 and 2020.
Employment
People at work.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED NJNA).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (M) | 4.53 | 161.3 |
- •Warehousing and healthcare added the most New Jersey jobs since 2020.
Unemployment
Joblessness.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED NJUR).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.6 | 4.1 |
- •New Jersey's jobless rate spiked to 16% in 2020 before recovering fully.
Labor Force
Size of the working population.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED NJLF).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (M) | 4.75 | 168.3 |
- •New Jersey's labor force participation is above the national average.
Occupations
Largest job categories.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing share of jobs (%) | 6.8 | 8.0 |
- •Warehouse employment along the Turnpike has roughly doubled since 2015.
Salaries
Pay levels.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU34000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU34000000500000003).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (USD) | 59800 | 48060 |
- •New Jersey's minimum wage reached $15 an hour in 2024 for most employers.
Remote Work
Working from home.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 22 | 18 |
- •New Jersey has one of the highest remote-work rates thanks to commuters to Manhattan.
Workforce Participation
Share of adults in the labor force.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA34).
| Indicator | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 63.9 | 62.6 |
- •Prime-age participation in New Jersey exceeds the national figure.