New Jersey Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for New Jersey fell 0.1 percentage points in August 2021 to 7.2%. The state unemployment rate was 2.0 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in New Jersey peaked in April 2020 at 16.6% and is now 9.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 7.2% in May 2021, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see New Jersey unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2021	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	5.2%	-0.2	-3.2
New Jersey	7.2%	-0.1	-3.8

Note: All comparisons are made with August data as September state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: New Jersey, National

New Jersey monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to August 2021

Note: Recessions shown in gray

New Jersey Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in New Jersey peaked in April 2020 at 742,322. There are now 422,385 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 318,763 in May 2021, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,174. New Jersey job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2021	Month/Month	Year/Year
New Jersey	319,937	-1,124	-179,020

Number of Unemployed Persons