By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey residents facing job loss in recent months are part of a growing trend, as new labor figures show the state’s unemployment rate has climbed to levels not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to recently released data, New Jersey’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent, placing it among the highest in the nation.
The figures, which cover October and November, were released later than usual due to delays tied to a federal government shutdown.
The increase comes at a pivotal moment for the state, coinciding with the start of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration. During her campaign, Sherrill emphasized affordability as a central issue, and she has moved quickly on that promise.
One of her first actions in office included signing executive orders declaring a state of emergency over rising utility costs and temporarily freezing energy rates through authorized bill credits.
“This is just the beginning,” Sherrill said during her inauguration address. “We are going to take on the affordability crisis, and we are going to shake up the status quo.”
Despite the overall rise in unemployment, only a handful of sectors posted job growth during the two-month period.
Private education and health services led the way with approximately 4,900 new jobs, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities with 1,800, and financial activities adding about 800 positions.
In contrast, the professional and business services sector experienced the steepest decline, losing roughly 3,600 jobs, according to the latest statistics.
While the current unemployment rate marks a recent high, it remains well below the unprecedented levels seen during the early months of the pandemic.
In April 2020, New Jersey’s unemployment rate surged to 15.3 percent as widespread shutdowns took hold. That spike proved temporary, with the rate dropping to 6.7 percent by September of the same year.
This article is based on reporting originally published by Advance Media, with additional context and reporting added for clarity.