(The Center Square) – Nevada reported the highest unemployment rate in the U.S., at 5.8% in January.
That’s a 0.1% increase from December, according to the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
Nevada also had the nation’s highest unemployment rate in December.
The last time Nevada had an unemployment rate under 5% was January 2020, when it was 3.8%.
According to the Nevada employment department, the labor force grew by 5,255 workers in January.
However, during the same month, the state saw a decrease of 5,800 jobs, a 0.4% loss.
The sectors hardest hit were construction and leisure/hospitality, which both saw decreases of 1,300 fewer jobs.
Manufacturing, financial activities and professional and business services added 100 jobs to their industries in January.
Since January 2024, employment in Nevada has increased by 13,800 jobs, a 0.9% increase.
David Schmidt, the chief economist for the Nevada employment department, said the January 2025 jobs report, which was released March 6, “incorporates a more complete data set for 2024 and revised models for both employment and unemployment patterns.”
He added that the unemployment is driven by “entrants into the labor market” and “job loss.”
“Wage growth remains strong in the state, likely contributing to both the slower pace of employment growth and the steady rate of entrants to the labor market,” he said.
Las Vegas, Nevada’s biggest city, lost 7,500 jobs, according to the January report. Over a year, the city added 8,100 jobs, a 0.7% increase.
Reno, the state’s third largest city, lost 600 jobs last month. In the last 12 months, the city took in 3,100 jobs, a 1.1% increase.
Carson City, Nevada’s capital, saw an increase of 200 jobs. Since January 2024, the city has added 600 jobs, a 1.9% increase.
In January, the District of Columbia and California had the nation’s next two worst unemployment rates, at 5.5%. South Dakota and Vermont had the two lowest unemployment rates, at 1.9% and 2.4%, respectively.
