New Jersey kicked off the new year with a boost in employment, adding 6,000 jobs in January 2026 as the state’s unemployment rate began to trend downward.

According to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s unemployment rate fell to 5.2% in January, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from December’s revised rate of 5.4%.

The private sector was the primary driver of growth, adding 5,600 positions. Professional and business services led the gains, followed closely by health care and construction.

While most sectors saw positive movement, some areas experienced slight declines, including leisure and hospitality, which lost 1,800 jobs during the month.

January’s data indicates a resilient labor force. New Jersey’s total nonfarm employment now sits at a seasonally adjusted level of 4,386,500.

“Preliminary January estimates indicate a positive shift in momentum for New Jersey payrolls,” state officials noted. However, the state continues to navigate a higher unemployment rate than the national 2025 average of 4.3%.

Residents and economists are looking toward April 16, 2026, when the bureau is scheduled to release preliminary data for February, which will confirm if this downward trend in unemployment is holding steady.