NJ Jobless Rate Unchanged

Showing no change from the month prior, New Jersey's unemployment rate held at 7.1 percent in February, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number remains higher than the national average, but it's a significant improvement from 8.8 percent during February 2013.

The state lost 3,700 jobs last month, according to preliminary numbers, with the bulk of the losses occurring in the fields of leisure and hospitality, financial activities and construction. The contraction may have resulted from severe winter weather, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

"One month's results in isolation really don't tell the story," said the department's Jeff Stoller.

January data was largely revised. Initial reports cited a loss of 3,900 jobs in New Jersey, but final numbers indicated a gain of more than 4,000 jobs.