New Jersey’s unemployment rate climbs to 33-year high of 10.1 percent in December
By APWednesday, January 20, 2010
NJ jobless rate rises to 10.1 percent in December
TRENTON, N.J. — Unemployment in New Jersey climbed to a 33-year high of 10.1 percent in December.
That’s the first time since October 2006 that the Garden State’s jobless rate eclipsed the national average of 10 percent.
Total employment in New Jersey fell to 3,910,400 in December, with losses in both the public and private sectors.
Officials also announced Wednesday that November’s employment was revised higher, resulting in a loss of 8,300 jobs.
The state Labor Department says manufacturing, construction and financial activities recorded the largest over-the-month private sector job losses.
Gains occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, professional and business services, and information industry sectors.
Public sector employment was down by 1,200 over the month before.
