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LWD Home > Labor Market Information > Publications > NJ Labor Market Views

NJ Labor Market Views

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 "N.J. Labor Market Views" offers valuable economic intelligence, presented in a more accessible and usable format to help you keep New Jersey’s labor market situation in focus. This new series of Web-accessible articles will cover a wide range of labor market issues and demographic insights.  “N.J. Labor Market Views” will look at issues such as New Jersey through the lens of the 2010 Census; the latest demographic pictures; state, regional and local employment and unemployment situations and snapshots of the state’s key industries, to name a few.  “N.J. Labor Market Views” will be produced periodically as news, data and analysis become available.

New Jersey Key Industry Cluster Fact Sheet

 

 

 

Issue 2018-01 (5/02/2018)
Millennials in the Workforce


Millennials make up a large segment of the workforce and are said to be changing the
shape of the workplace as they are the generation that grew up with the Internet and
smart devices. Issue 2018-01 of NJ Labor Market Views looks at New Jersey's millennial
workers.

 

 

 

 

Issue # 31 (9/16/2014)
NJ's Occopational Mix is Diverse and
Earns Above Average Wages


Getting a read on New Jersey's workforce and earnings situation is not as easy as
taking a simple snapshot of the economy.  Instead, it requires tools like the
Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey of employers.  Like all states,
New Jersey, in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), conducts
the OES survey of employers.  The survey asks a sample of employers of varying
sizes and from all industry sectors about the number of employees in their workforce,
the occupations of these workers and the compensation or wages these workers
receive.  Issue #31 of NJ Labor Market Views analyzes the results of the most
recent survey for New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

Issue # 30 (8/14/2014)
NJ Financial Services Employment
Remains Stable Despite Uncertainty


Although New Jersey's financial services sector represents a relatively small
segment of New Jersey's total private sector employment, the cluster represents a
significant percentage of the state's Real Gross State Product.  While several large
mergers and layoffs have raised questions about the industry's long-term outlook,
other less publicized mergers and moves into the state have kept employment
levels relatively stable in the sector.  This issue of NJ Labor Market Views looks
at the employment situation for the state's financial services cluster highlighting
how various developments and evolving technologies are shaping the industry.

 

 

 

Issue # 29 (7/21/2014)
2013 Population Estimates
for New Jersey


The nation's most densely populous state is moving toward a record 9 million New
Jerseyans.  As of July 1, 2013, New Jersey's population was estimated to be 8,899,339,
an increase of 107,430 from the latest decennial census.  Issue 29 of NJ Labor Market
Views
looks at New Jersey's population trends at the state level as well as population
growth in our counties and municipalities.

 

 

 

Issue # 28 (06/17/2014)
Commuter-Adjusted Daytime
Population Estimates for NJ


The decennial Census counts people where they live.  However, many people travel during the day
for various purposes including work, education, healthcare, recreation, etc., and where they spend
their daytime hours could be in another town from where they live.  Therefore, the daytime population
could be very different from the resident population in any geographic area.  This issue of NJ Labor
Market Views provides insight on New Jersey's daytime population estimates, an important indicator
of a locality's economic and social activities.

 

 

Issue # 27 (05/29/2014)
NJ Women Stronger in Education,
Entrepreneurship & Employment

 

How are women changing the face of New Jersey's labor force?  In issue 27 of NJ Labor
Market Views, the data show that New Jersey women are slowly making their presence
felt in the labor force with higher levels of educational attainment, through greater business
ownership and in increasingly working in some occupations that traditionally been held mostly
by men.

 

 

Issue # 26 (09/03/2013)
Labor Force Participation in
New Jersey

 

It is difficult to know if the state or national labor force is large enough to meet the demands of
today's global marketplace by looking at the number of adults in the working age population
(age 16 and above).  What truly matters is knowing what percentage of individuals within that
large group are actually available for work.  Issue 26 of NJ Labor Market Views analyzes labor
force participation trends in New Jersey.

 

 

 

Issue # 25 (04/08/2013)
Commitment to Workplace Safety
Pays off for Workers and Employers

 

Highlights from the 2011 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses show how the
commitment to safety has continued to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses in New Jersey.
Through no-cost training programs and no-cost workplace consultations, LWD continues to help
employers and workers assure that jobsites are productive and free of safety and health hazards.
Issue 25 of NJ Labor Market Views introduces these free services of the Department and how
they are helping employers to implement safe work policies and train workers to work smarter
and safer.

 

 

 

 

 


Issue # 24 (12/06/12)
A Pre-Hurricane Sandy Portrait of
New Jersey’s Hardest Hit Areas


Thirteen months after Hurricane Irene struck New Jersey in August,
2011, Hurricane Sandy brought even greater and more widespread
destruction to the Garden State than its predecessor. The infrastructure
and economy of much of New Jersey felt the devastating impact
of winds and surging waters as the center of Hurricane Sandy swept
onshore October 29, 2012, north of Atlantic City. The hurricane resulted
in dozens of deaths, knocked out power to more than 2.5 million
homes and businesses and, according to preliminary estimates by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the storm damaged
or destroyed more than 72,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

 


Issue # 23 (10/12/12)
Projections of New Jersey's 
Population and Labor Force


According to recently released projections data, New Jersey is
expected to have 9.2 million residents in 2020, and the state's labor force
is anticipated to increase by 5.3 percent.  In addition, the population of
the Garden State is expected to continue to become more diverse.  Issue
23 of New Jersey Labor Market Views looks at the state's population
and labor force projections through 2030.

  • According  to the 2010 Census, New Jersey had 8,791,894 residents,
    or 4,5 percent more residents than a decade ago.  Among them, 51.3
    percent were women, 17.7 percent were Hispanics, and 8.5 percent were
    Asians.  Since 2000, the proportion of women declined somewhat
    (from 51.5% in 2000) while the proportions of the elderly (from 13.2%),
    Hispanic (from 13.3%) and Asian (from 5.8%) persons increased.

 

 


Issue # 22 (10/12/12)
New Jersey Continues Attracting
Financial Services Businesses 


Infrastructure, value and talent are all key elements in attracting financial
services firms to the state of New Jersey and keeping them here.  Issue 22
of New Jersey Labor Market Views gives an overview of the financial
services industry and its importance to the state's economy.

  • The financial services industry is a significant driver of the state's economy
    contributing almost $37 billion, or roughly 9.0 percent, to the 2011 Gross
    State Product.  Finance and Insurance industry employers in New
    Jersey paid almost $19.7 billion in total wages in 2011, accounting for
    11 percent of the state's total private sector wages.

 

 


Issue # 21 (9/6/12)
Key Workforce Challenges:  Aging
Workforce and Looming Retirements

The baby boom generation remains a powerful force casting its shadow over
the future.  New Jersey's working-age population of nearly 7 million includes
approximately 2.2 million people ages 55 and over, according to the 2010
Census.  This issue of NJ Labor Market Views discusses how the state's
workforce could be impacted as these older workers reach retirement age.

  • In the next few years, many of the state's older workers will consider retirement
    as soon as it is financially possible.  The number of younger workers appears
    adequate to replace retiring baby boomers.  There are approximately 1.4
    million residents between the ages of 45 and 54 with approximately 1.2 million
    more residents between the ages of 35 and 44. 

 

 


Issue # 20 (8/28/12)
Life Science Remains Strong in the
Garden State

New Jersey's biopharmaceutical and life-science industry cluster continues to
expand the state's long-established record of science- and knowledge-based
advancements even as it continues to add enormous value to the State's
economy.  The latest available employment data (third quarter of 2011),
showed that the 3,129 business establishments of the biopharmaceutical and
life-science industry cluster reported an employment level totaling 122,442
jobs.  This industry cluster relies on the highly skilled and educated workforce
for which New Jersey is noted.

  • In 2010, the biopharmaceutical and life-science industry cluster accounted for
    about 3.9 percent of the state's total employment.  However, because these jobs 
    are well-paying, the cluster is responsible for 8.1 percent of New Jersey's
    total payrolls. 

 

 


Issue # 19 (4/19/12)
New Jerseyans and Disabilities 

This issue of NJ Labor Market Views provides current estimates of
the socioeconomic characteristics of the Garden State's population
with disabilities.  Data from the 2010 American Community Survey
reveals that 845,000 New Jerseyians, or 9.7 percent of residents
statewide, report having some type of disability.

  • In 2010, New Jersey 9.7 percent of the state's residents reported having
    some sort of disability, the second lowest percentage among the
    50 states.  Only Utah (8.5%) ranked lower.  The state with the highest 
    percentage of disabled persons was West Virginia (18.9%). 

  • Most of New Jersey's disabled persons are women (55%).  This is
    because disability becomes more prevalent as people age and women
    have a longer life expectancy.

 

 


Issue # 18 (2/17/12)
New Jersey's Asian Population by Asian Group:  2010 

According to figures from the 2010 Census, New Jersey was home
to more than 725,000 Asians in 2010.  The number of Asian
residents more than doubled since 2000 and the group's increase of
250,898 persons was the largest decennial gain on record.  In this
issue of New Jersey Labor Market Views, get a detailed analysis
of New Jersey's Asian population by major Asian group.

  • Major Asian groups in New Jersey include Asian Indians (292,256),
    Chinese (134,442), Filipino (110,650), Korean (93,679), Pakistani (26,006),
    Vietnamese (20,628) and Japanese (13,146).
  • The overwhelming majority of the state's Asians are immigrants from
    other countries.

 


Issue # 17 (1/30/12)
New Jersey - Older on Average 

Data from the 2010 Census shows that New Jerseyans are living longer.
Not only does the Garden State have more older residents (population
65 and older), it also has fewer residents who are age 18 and younger.
This issue of NJ Labor Market Views provides an analysis of the state's
population by age group. 

  • The median age in New Jersey in 2010 was 39.0 years.
  • The age cohort with the greatest percentage growth from 2000 to 2010
    was residents age 85 and over.  In 2010, more people age 100 and over
    were alive than in any previous census.

 


Issue # 16 (12/2/11)
As Construction Grows Stronger New Jersey's Economy Will Follow


Although construction makes up a relatively small proportion of New Jersey's
private sector employment, a healthy construction industry helps drive broader
economic activity. In this issue of NJ Labor Market Views read about the
impact of the construction industry on New Jersey's economy.

 

  • New Jersey's construction industry directly contributed $12.6 billion in 2005
    inflation-adjusted dollars to the nation's 2009 gross domestic product (GDP)
    representing 2.8 percent of the GDP generated nationally by this industry.

  • In 2009, jobs in New Jersey's construction industry paid higher average
    annual wages ($60,588) than the average for the state's private sector as a
    whole.

 

 


Issue # 14 (10/19/11)
People From Many Nations Form New Jersey's Hispanic Population

According to figures from the 2010 Census, New Jersey is home to more than 1.5
million Hispanics in 2010.  They account for nearly 18 percent of the total
population and form one of the Garden State's fastest growing minority groups.  In
this issue of New Jersey Labor Market Views get a detailed analysis of New
Jersey's Hispanic population.

  • Hispanics are projected to comprise 22.2 percent of the state's total population
    by 2028.

  • Since the 1970 Census, New Jersey's Hispanic population has increased by
    439 percent.

 

 


Issue # 13 (9/22/11)
Advanced Manufacturing Creates the Products and Processes of Tomorrow
 
The term "advanced manufacturing" is often used to describe the products or processes
that utilize technological advances to enhance the way we make things or the things
that we make.  In this issue of NJ Labor Market Views, learn how advanced
manufacturing and its ongoing innovation is vital to New Jersey's continued economic
success.
 

  • In 2009, there were more than 127,000 jobs within industries classified as advanced
    manufacturing..

  • More than $11.6 billion in wages were paid in 2009, or roughly 6.8 percent of New
    Jersey's total wages paid.

 

 


Issue # 12 (9/06/11)
Annual Average Wage in 2010 Rebounds From First Decline

New Jersey's annual average wage reached a new high in 2010 after seeing its first decline
in more than 40 years in 2009.

  • The 2010 annual average wage in New Jersey rose to $56,385 from $55,173 in 2009,
    an increase of $1,212 or 2.2 percent.

  • The highest annual average wage growth during 2010 occurred in the industry sectors
    of finance and insurance (+7.2%) and management of companies and enterprises (+6.4%).
 


Issue # 11 (8/11/11)
Garden State the Destination for Financial Services Businesses

New Jersey's close proximity to New York City, highly competitive corporate real estate rates
and an unmatched talent pool make New Jersey a prime location for financial services firms.

  • New Jersey has one of the most extensive fiber optic networks in the world to
    support the financial industry's high-speed communications needs.

  • The state has a highly educated talent pool - more than 34 percent of New Jersey's
    workforce has earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

 

 


Issue # 10 (7/13/11)
New Jersey’s Leisure, Hospitality and Retail Cluster: The Shore and More

Many of the businesses within leisure, hospitality and retail trade also directly and indirectly
support the state’s tourism industry.

  • Leisure, hospitality and retail trade (LHR) employment totaled 766,410 in 2009,
    or 24 percent of all private sector workers in the state.

  • New Jersey LHR employers paid more than $20 billion in wages during 2009,
    or 11.8 percent of the state total.

 

 


Issue # 9 (6/23/11)
New Jersey Well Positioned for Transportation, Logistics and Distribution

The real estate ideal of, “location, location, location,” aptly describes New Jersey. 

  • New Jersey has 36,000 miles of highways and 500,000 trucks move freight over
    these roads daily.
           
  • Within a day’s drive of the Garden State, truckers can reach 40 percent of the
    US population, or 100 million consumers who purchase $2 trillion in merchandise
    each year.

 

 


Issue # 8 (6/14/11)
Growth of County Population From 1790 to 2010

New Jersey has undergone many changes in business, in fashion, and in population
since 1790 when the first national census was conducted. 

  • From a total of 184,139 residents in 1790, New Jersey’s population grew by more than
    4,600 percent to a level of 8,791,894 in 2010.
           
  • Between 1824 and 1857, New Jersey’s original 13 counties were divided to create eight
    additional counties.
 


Issue # 7 (5/16/11)
Growing New Jersey Minority Population Reaches Majority in Some Municipalities

Census 2010 data on race and ethnicity showed that New Jersey is a highly diverse state with
the nation’s fourth largest Asian population and seventh largest Hispanic population. 

  • Populations of two municipalities in Essex County had more than 97 percent minority residents.
           
  • Non-Hispanic white residents comprise 90 percent of the population in 137 municipalities.

 

 


Issue # 6 (5/11/11)
NJ's Changing Biopharm/Life Sciences Industry Reaches Beyond Traditional
Pharmaceuticals

The vitality of the biopharmaceutical and life-sciences cluster in New Jersey is fundamental to
the state’s economic health with its well-paying jobs;

  • Accounted for $23 billion or nearly 5.0 percent of New Jersey’s gross domestic product.
           
  • Invested nearly $20 billion in research and development, the 3rd most among the 50 states.

 

 


Issue # 5 (4/18/11)
Most New Jerseyans Call Smaller Municipalities Home

Where we live makes a great deal of difference to us and to our families.Each municipality
in the Garden State has its own personality and character and that has an impact on many
things from the makeup of the people we call neighbors;

  • Just over half of us reside in smaller towns with populations between 10,000 and 50,000
           
  • Another quarter of Garden State residents live in towns of 50,000 to 100,000 residents
 


Issue # 4 (4/11/11)
New Jersey’s Economic Health Depends on Health Care Industry

The overall health, both of New Jersey’s economy and its people, is clearly tied
to the capabilities of the evolving health care industry. 
 

  • The health care industry contributed over $32 billion to New Jersey’s
        Gross Domestic Product in 2008 (roughly 7% of all output).        
  • New Jersey employers, across all health care industries, paid more than
        $21 billion in wages in 2009    
 


Issue # 3 (4/06/11)
Signs of the Times? “Help Wanted” and Job Growth

Recent indicators of New Jersey’s economic health, taken together appear to point toward
a brightening economic picture. 
 

  • Job openings posted by employers were up in each of the last two months, increasing
        nearly two percent in February.
  • Private sector employment increased in six-of-10 supersectors in February
        adding nearly 7,000 jobs.
 


Issue # 2 (3/22/11)
The Changing Face of New Jersey Is More Diverse Than Ever

Look at the people around you. The diversity you’re seeing is a hallmark of the
Garden State according to the 2010 Census. New Jersey continues to be one of
the most racially and ethni
cally diverse states. The latest figures showed that in
New Jersey between 2000 and 2010:
 

  • The increase in the Hispanic population was greater than the total population increase.
  • The fastest growing racial group was Asian, which increased by 51.1 percent.
   
Issue # 1 (3/15/11)
Population Keeps Growing in the Most Densely Populated State

What’s new in New Jersey since 2000? About 4.5 percent more people
live in the Garden State and Census data released recently shows that New Jersey:

• Total population is nearing 9 million, rising to 8,791,894
• Ranked 11th among all states for total population
• Remains the most densely populated state with 1,195 persons per square mile
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