Provides an in-depth look at New Jersey’s care economy, examining the workers who provide critical care and support to children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities in New Jersey. The report analyzes employment, workforce demographics, wages, and labor supply and demand using NJSDS data from 2015 to 2023 and other sources.
The study finds that New Jersey’s care workforce grew steadily before declining sharply in 2020 and has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, approximately 83% of care workers were women, while Black and Hispanic workers represented nearly half of the workforce. The analysis also identifies significant wage disparities: care workers generally earn less than the statewide median, and women in the sector earn roughly $5,000 less than men. Meanwhile, demand for home health and personal care aides has grown substantially, with average monthly job postings rising from 460 in 2015–16 to 1,219 in 2022–23.
The authors conclude that these trends point to a “care penalty,” particularly for women, that could make it more difficult to recruit and retain the workers New Jersey increasingly needs. The report is the second in a series examining the state’s care economy; a forthcoming report will explore education and training pathways as well as employment, retention, and movement out of the sector.