Surveys differ on whether New Jersey gained jobs last month

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- The two federal government surveys used to show the employment picture differ on whether New Jersey gained or lost jobs in February.

In either case, the change was relatively modest in the data released Thursday.

A survey of individuals that is used to calculate the unemployment rate showed the state shed 3,700 jobs out of nearly 4.3 million. That caused the unemployment rate to rise a tick to 6.4 percent from 6.3 percent. The national rate was 5.5 percent.

The number of people in the workforce -- those with jobs or looking for them -- remained unchanged.

A more complete survey of businesses showed the state added 6,800 jobs.

That survey showed a mix of some industries adding jobs and some losing them. The winners included construction, which added 2,000 jobs in the month and more than 14,000 over the previous year.

Trade, transportation and utilities added 3,700 jobs in February and more than 22,000 over the previous year.

Financial activities lost 2,000 jobs and the public sector shrunk by 600 in the month.

The new figures also show the state's gain from December to January was about 5,600 jobs, less than half the previously reported increase of 12,400.

"The good news is we created 6,800 jobs in February, and that is on top of January's numbers, which were revised.  But we still created 5,600 jobs," said state Labor Commissioner Harold Wirths.

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