Unemployment in New Jersey falls to 4.7 percent

New Jersey’s economy added 3,100 jobs in December and the unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent from 5 percent.

The state Labor Department on Thursday also released figures showing New Jersey’s private sector added 14,800 jobs in 2016.

Treasury chief economist James Wooster says New Jersey ended 2016 on a high note and he expects growth to continue into 2017.

The department says New Jersey has added 281,700 private sector jobs since February 2010, the low point for employment during the national recession.

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The state rate matches the national level, also at 4.7 percent in December.

Health services saw the biggest gains in December while business and professional services and transportation had the biggest contractions.

 

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