LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada’s unemployment rate increased to 5.3% in January, according to a report released Thursday by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
The labor force increased by 7,130 people in January compared to December, and the state added 2,000 non-farm jobs during the same period.
As a whole, Nevada added 30,200 jobs compared to January 2025, representing a 1.9% increase over the past year, and a 0.1% increase from December.
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The report also includes annual adjustments to jobs, employment and unemployment statistics for 2025, after last year’s government shutdown led to a delay in reports.
The revisions show 28,600 more jobs in the state as of December 2025 and a growth rate of nearly 2%.
The upward revision in Nevada contrasts with the national trend, which saw a downward revision of 862,000 jobs.
“This report reflects a more accurate and improved view of Nevada’s labor market compared to the end of 2025,” said David Schmidt, chief economist for DETR. “Most striking is the upward revision in the estimate of total nonfarm jobs in the state.”
Schmidt said before the benchmark revision, no state experienced 2% job growth as of December 2025, and only 11 states experienced 1% job growth.
“While the unemployment rate increased slightly to 5.3%, the state’s labor force participation rate also rose to 63.6%, 1.5 percentage points higher than the national participation rate,” Schmidt said.
Las Vegas employment increased by 1,500 jobs in January compared to December, a 0.1% increase. The area added 21,600 jobs compared to January 2025, a 1.9% increase.
Nevada had 12,926 initial claims for unemployment insurance in January, a decrease of 926 claims from December.
The figure is an increase from the 12,802 claims filed in January 2025.
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