Las Vegas saw a decrease in unemployment in July compared to last year, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a 5.4% unemployment rate.
The unemployment rate for the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas area decreased from 5.9% in July 2025 but increased from 5.2% in June 2026. The federal agency reported over 72,000 unemployed individuals in the metro area in July.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) stated Las Vegas added around 2,300 jobs in July, representing a slight 0.2% increase from June. Approximately 9,900 jobs were added in the past year, a gain of 0.8%.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5%, down 0.1 percentage point from June. However, DETR mentioned the labor force decreased by 5,077 individuals, making the current labor market consist of 1,681,603 people.
July’s report highlights a steady labor market in Nevada as we enter the second half of the year. Year-over-year job growth remains solid at just over 1%, with professional services and health care leading the way at more than 4% growth,” said David Schmidt, DETR’s chief economist.
“Compared to June, Nevada added 4,000 jobs, in contrast to the national decline of 23,000 jobs. The unemployment rate and labor force participation rate both fell compared to June, mirroring national trends,” Schmidt added.
Nevada, Las Vegas Unemployment Remain High
Despite the year-over-year improvement, Las Vegas’ unemployment rate remained above the national average. The federal government indicated a national unemployment rate of 4%, a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Nevada tied for 46th among the 50 states, with only California, Connecticut, and Oregon having higher unemployment rates in July.
Out of the 387 metropolitan areas monitored by the Labor Statistics Bureau, the average unemployment rate was 4.4% in July, not seasonally adjusted, with the agency reporting a rate “little changed from a year earlier.”
Bismarck, ND, Rapid City, SD, and Sioux Falls, SD/Minn. reported the lowest unemployment rates at 1.9% each.
Las Vegas’ 5.4% unemployment was 1.2% above the average of the other metropolitan areas, all with a population of 25,000 or more.
Casino Jobs Weigh Heavily
Employment in Nevada and Las Vegas’ casino industry had a negative impact on the July jobs report.
DETR reported a decrease of 2,900 leisure and hospitality jobs, including gaming positions, during the month. The Las Vegas area took responsibility for 1,800 of these job cuts.
August might not improve the situation as Cirque du Soleil cut 98 positions related to the closing of the Mad Apple production at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Wynn Las Vegas’ closure of Awakening resulted in 178 job losses, and the shut down of Lotus of Siam restaurant at Red Rock Resort in Summerlin affected 81 positions.