NJ jobless rate inches up in September

TRENTON September's jobless rate was 9.8 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from the revised 9.6 percent rate for August, the state labor department reported Wednesday. And overall employment declined after two consecutive months of private sector growth.

The private sector lost 12,000 jobs, while 700 public sector jobs were shed. And nonfarm employment slipped to 3,917,700, down from 4,046,600 a year ago.

The largest losses were in construction, with a decline of 4,000 jobs, and professional and business services, with 2,600 jobs lost.

Meanwhile, the state revised some data for August.

Officials say 700 jobs were gained that month, not 800, and the unemployment rate was revised from 9.7 percent to 9.6 percent.

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