Nevada adds 6,500 jobs in August, fourth straight month of growth

Nevada’s unemployment dropped to 13.2% in August, down from 14% reported in July. The drop brings the unemployment rate below levels seen at the height of the Great Recession, when the jobless rate reached 13.7%.

Statistics released Wednesday by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show continued job growth as the state’s economy continues its recovery from shutdowns and layoffs that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 6,500 jobs were added in August, DETR said. That’s still 133,600 jobs short (-9.4%) of August 2019 levels. A year ago, the unemployment rate was 3.9%. Claims for Nevada Unemployment Insurance (UI) decreased by 17,103, or 25.6% over the month. The total employment level in the state is 1,289,800. 

The increase in jobs marks the fourth straight month of growth. However, Leisure and hospitality (-15.9%) and other services (-10.8%) are down the most since the same time last year. DETR has not yet reported the August unemployment rate for Las Vegas. That rate was 16.4% in July.

“I’m encouraged by this month’s numbers and am happy to see that employment has increased and the number of unemployed has decreased in the state,” DETR Director Elisa Cafferata said in a press release. “There is more work to do to help Nevadans get back to work, and we’re committed to doing our part.”

DETR's Chief Economist David Schmidt said: “Employment continues to increase across many industries with trade, transportation and utilities adding the most jobs. The number of unemployed remains high but continues to improve.”