NJ Sees Nearly 25% Increase in Private Sector

Worksites Over 5 Years of the Murphy Administration

According to data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages collected by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), the Garden State experienced a 24.5 percent increase in the total number of private worksites from Q1 2018 to Q1 2023, with notable growth among small businesses employing fewer than 5 individuals.

“The data is clear: New Jersey’s forward-thinking worker protections put in place by Governor Murphy and our Legislature – like a higher minimum wage, paid sick days, and expanded family leave – are contributing to year-over-year growth,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Some naysayers have hyperbolized these rights and benefits are a detriment to employment, but in reality, they are helping to drive this economy.”

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey’s workforce and economy continue to grow,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Since 2018, the Murphy Administration has prioritized small businesses by providing them with the tools and resources needed to succeed, which has resulted in an increase of over 40,000 new small businesses in the state. It’s evident that the administration’s efforts are helping create a stronger economy and a fairer state to live, work, and raise a family.”

The total number of private worksites in the state rose from 260,991 in Q1 2018 to 324,850 in Q1 2023, with the largest percentage increases taking place in Hudson, Passaic, Cumberland, Ocean and Camden counties. Employment at NJ worksites grew by 5.7 percent during the same timeframe. New Jersey worksites averaging fewer than five employees expanded from 160,682 in Q1 2018 to 217,801 in Q1 2023, growing by 35.5 percent. Small business employment grew by 22 percent, with the largest percentage increases over the Q1 2018 and Q1 2023 time period occurring in Hudson, Gloucester, Passaic, Cumberland and Ocean Counties.

A worksite is defined as a single economic unit – such as a farm, a mine, a factory, or a store – that produces goods or services. Worksites are typically at one physical location and engaged in one, or predominantly one, type of economic activity.

NJDOL published a county-by-county map showing the growth, which can be viewed here.

A full list of all worksite growth by town may be viewed here.

For more labor marketing information, visit nj.gov/labor/data.

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