NSW job numbers grew by 101,400 over the past year, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows.

ABS data for the quarter to February 2008 shows the State enjoyed employment growth of 3.1 per cent in the past year, benefiting a number of sectors of the NSW economy.

For example, 36,000 new jobs were created in the retail trade sector and 21,700 jobs created in transport and storage.

Health and community service jobs also increased by 19,700 jobs over the same period and manufacturing jobs rose by 18,000.

In the construction sector NSW saw an extra 13,900 jobs generated.

The highest levels of jobs growth in percentage terms were recorded in the following industry sectors: transport and storage (up 14.2 per cent); retail trade (up 7.7 per cent); health and community services (up 5.7 per cent); manufacturing (up 5.5 per cent); construction (up 4.8 per cent); personal and other services (up 4.7 per cent); and education (up 4.8 per cent).

The good news on NSW employment continued in February 2008 with the State's unemployment rate reaching a 30 year low of 4.2 per cent.

An extra 18,000 jobs were created last month alone in NSW, more than any other State, with total employment in NSW now at 3.416 million.

The Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) helps create jobs for NSW by supporting new business investment and growth.

In 2006-07, DSRD secured investment projects valued at $1.1 billion in the Sydney metropolitan area which will employ 2,312 people.

Also, DSRD secured investment projects valued at a further $1.6 billion in regional NSW which will employ another 4,125 people.