New Jersey’s location and well-developed transportation network have been critical to its position as a center of shipping, commerce and manufacturing. Heavy industry has long been a fundamental source of New Jersey jobs. The Garden State leads the U.S. in petroleum refining and chemical production. It’s also a pharmaceutical industry titan; Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Wyeth and Schering-Plough are all headquartered in New Jersey. Tourism is another notable supplier of NJ jobs; the Atlantic City resort community is one of America’s most iconic vacation destinations.

In the largest city in the state, Newark, New Jersey, jobs in insurance, banking and finance, and telecommunications are economic drivers. Prudential Financial is headquartered in Newark. Investment banking and finance is also a paramount source of jobs in Jersey City, NJ’s second most populous city; Exchange Place in Jersey City is the state’s leading financial district. New Jersey careers in education and healthcare are expected to provide the greatest employment opportunities over the next decade.