Published on: September 19, 2025, 01:30h.
Updated on: September 19, 2025, 01:30h.
- Las Vegas experienced significant job losses from July to August
- Nevada ranks second in the nation for unemployment rates, just behind California
- Although some believe the current Las Vegas market concerns are exaggerated, visitor traffic has declined
The job market in Las Vegas saw further decline in August, with state authorities indicating a reduction of approximately 4,300 jobs.
According to the August employment report by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), job numbers in Las Vegas decreased by 0.4% between July and August. Compared to August of 2024, there were 5,000 fewer positions last month.
The issues in Las Vegas have negatively influenced job markets across the state. While statewide unemployment improved from 5.4% in July to 5.3% in August, it is believed many individuals seeking employment have left Nevada.
The August report reveals a labor market that is largely stagnant. The total number of jobs remains virtually unchanged from the previous year, and the small decline in the unemployment rate is attributed to the exit of some job seekers from the workforce,” stated David Schmidt, chief economist at DETR.
A stagnant job market indicates minimal growth and limited job opportunities.
“In the private sector, employment decreased by 6,000 jobs during the month, with notable losses in the Construction and Accommodation & Food Services sectors. Nonetheless, we have not seen a spike in new unemployment claims from these sectors, and metrics on hours worked and wages remain stable, indicating ongoing demand for labor,” Schmidt added.
Declining Visitors, Declining Jobs
The reduction of jobs in Las Vegas came as no surprise.
The gambling hub has been under intense scrutiny from media, both national and local, regarding various issues. These range from public discontent over rising prices and incessant fees to concerns about tariff disputes led by President Trump, as well as anxieties about potential detainment among Mexican visitors.
Regardless of the reasons, the hard truth is that Las Vegas is experiencing a significant drop in visitor numbers, which is dampening the economy of Southern Nevada.
Up to July, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported approximately 22.64 million tourists visited Southern Nevada, an 8% decrease from the previous year. Hotel occupancy in Las Vegas has also dropped by 3%, despite a reduction of 3,042 hotel rooms, particularly due to The Mirage’s recent closure.
The average nightly rate for hotel rooms along the Strip fell to $193, while citywide rates averaged $171. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) on the Strip decreased from $177 to $163.
Additionally, the number of travelers at Harry Reid International Airport decreased by 4.4%, totaling 32.4 million passengers, equating to nearly 1.5 million fewer individuals.
National Employment Trends
With an unemployment rate of 5.3% in August, Nevada’s figures exceeded the national average of 4.3% by a full percentage point. However, Nevada is not the sole state grappling with employment hurdles.
The national unemployment rate in the United States has gradually risen over the last two years, moving from 3.7% in August 2023 to 4.2% by August 2024, reaching 5.3% last month.
Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the unemployment rate among Black Americans stands at a national average of 7.5%, compared to 3.7% for White individuals, 3.6% for Asian Americans, and 5.3% for Hispanic/Latino communities.