The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics last week released preliminary estimates of job gains and losses in May, and they show that New Jersey’s labor market remained healthy last month.

Some 9,800 jobs (in nonfarm employment) were added in the Garden State for a seasonally adjusted total of 4,335,800. Of the new jobs, 5,900 were added in the private sector and 3,900 in the public sector. The unemployment rate increased by 0.1% to 3.6%.

In May, four out of nine major private industry sectors recorded job growth, including education and health services (+5,400), other services (+1,700), leisure and hospitality (+1,500), and financial activities (+600). Job losses were recorded in construction (-1,300), professional and business services (-1,000), manufacturing (-700), and trade, transportation, and utilities (-300).

New Jersey has added 93,600 nonfarm jobs during the past 12 months.