Hundreds More Job Cuts In NJ As Federal Figures Show Large Job Loss

New Jersey payrolls fell by more than 25,000 jobs in July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but state officials say that number "is likely overstated."

The state Department of Labor released the figures on Thursday and said the reason the July employment loss may be inaccurate is "seasonal adjustment factors do not adequately account for seasonal declines in professional and business services."

The report comes as more than 2,400 job cuts were announced in July as more large companies filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notices of pending layoffs, and nearly 750 more layoffs have been announced for August.

The August WARN notices include 374 positions being eliminated by Hello Fresh, which is closing its facility in Swedesboro, Gloucester County. Those jobs will be eliminated as of Nov. 17, according to the notice.

In addition, German packaging company Gerresheimer is eliminating 137 jobs in Vineland. The layoffs begin Sept. 1 and are scheduled to be completed in July 2027.

The number of businesses that responded to the July payroll survey was lower than expected, which may have affected the numbers, the state labor department said.

New Jersey's payroll loss for June was 4,200 jobs, according to the state labor department, and while the unemployment rate in June remained at 4.5 percent, it fell to 4.4 percent in July.

For July, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said three of the state's business sectors had employment gains in July, with trade, transportation, and utilities gaining more than 600 jobs, manufacturing gaining more than 100 and information gaining more than 100.

Job losses were highest in July in professional and business services, where 13,400 positions appear to have been eliminated, along with leisure and hospitality with about 7,300, private education and health services losing about 2,700, construction losing 1,300, other services losing 1,100, and financial activities with a loss of 900, the state said.

The public sector gained 300 jobs for the month, state officials said.

Since July 2025, New Jersey has lost 19,600 nonfarm jobs and 20,000 nonfarm jobs.

Losses were recorded year-over-year in leisure and hospitality, with 12,800 eliminated; trade, transportation, and utilities losing 8,000, professional and business services cutting 7,000, construction eliminating 4,900, information losing 4,100), manufacturing losing 3,800, financial activities down 3,300), and other services down 2,500 positions.

The public sector has gained 400 jobs since July 2025, and the private education and health services industry recorded a year-over-year increase of 26,400 jobs.