Nevada’s unemployment rate saw a slight but positive decline in May, accompanied by steady job growth and an expanding labor force, according to the latest report from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).
The state’s unemployment rate dipped by 0.1% to 5.5%, reflecting continued improvements in the labor market. Nevada also added 3,484 workers to its labor force, bringing the state’s labor force participation rate to 63% — higher than the national average of 62.4%.
“In May, we continued to see modest improvements in Nevada’s labor markets, with ongoing employment growth and further declines in the unemployment rate,” said David Schmidt, chief economist with DETR. “Wage growth has remained strong as well, with hourly wages up 6.8% and weekly wages up 7.5% over the past year.”
Despite these gains, Nevada’s employment growth still lags behind national levels over the past year. Within the month, the state added 500 jobs, with the most significant increases seen in education, health services, and professional and business services. However, the leisure and hospitality sector experienced a setback, losing approximately 900 jobs in May.
Over the past year, education and health services have led Nevada’s job market expansion, generating 7,500 new jobs for residents.
Regionally, Reno and Las Vegas posted above-average employment growth in May, while Carson City recorded no job gains. Year-over-year data shows Reno (1.4%) and Carson City (1.9%) outpacing the statewide job growth of 0.6%, with Las Vegas trailing behind at just 0.2%.
The DETR report indicates that while Nevada’s job market continues to improve gradually, challenges remain in certain sectors, and overall employment growth still trails behind national trends.
