New Jersey lost 1,700 jobs in August, marking a second consecutive month of payroll declines, while the state's unemployment rate edged down from 4.4% to 4.3%, according to preliminary estimates released by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The decline followed a revised loss of 21,900 jobs in July. The state had initially estimated that New Jersey lost 25,600 jobs that month.

Private-sector employment increased slightly in August, adding 200 jobs, while public-sector employment fell by 1,900.

Four of nine private industry sectors added jobs from July. Leisure and hospitality recorded the largest gain, adding 3,400 jobs, followed by construction with 1,000. Trade, transportation and utilities added 600 jobs, while other services added 500.

Professional and business services lost 3,500 jobs, while private education and health services lost 1,400.

New Jersey had 9,900 fewer nonfarm jobs in August than a year earlier, with private-sector employment down 13,100. Public-sector employment increased by 3,200 over the same period.

Private education and health services was the only private industry sector to add jobs over the year, gaining 22,900. The other eight private sectors recorded losses, led by professional and business services, down 7,700, and trade, transportation and utilities, down 7,200.

Leisure and hospitality fell 6,100 jobs from a year earlier despite adding 3,400 jobs in August.

The August employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision.