(The Center Square) – The number of jobs grew in Nevada since last year despite a slight uptick in the unemployment rate.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s January economic report showed jobs increased across metro areas and the state, giving economists reason for some optimism this year. Revisions on last year’s employment data also marked unexpected improvements.
“It’s a more positive report than I had even really been expecting to get, both for the January data, but also for the revisions that we had to the prior year’s data,” DETR Chief Economist David Schmidt told The Center Square.
From January 2025 to January 2026, Nevada’s total number of jobs increased by 1.9% according to the DETR. Based on earlier federal data, Nevada was a high job growth state across 2025.
“Our annual job growth is going to be competitive with the fastest growing states in the country again,” said Schmidt.
But at the same time, Nevada’s unemployment rate increased slightly in January to 5.3%, keeping it among the highest in the country.
Schmidt said the state’s unemployment rate was only accurate within 0.6% and argued month-to-month changes should not be taken as a major indicator of the economy.
The numbers shows job growth, Schmidt said. “We’re seeing as of January, our highest jobs total ever … We crossed 1.6 million jobs for the first time in December and added to it in January.”
Another statewide indicator, the labor force participation rate, was up slightly since December 2025 to 63.5%, 1.5% higher than the U.S. average.
By metro area, employment decreased in Reno by 200 jobs (-0.1%) and Carson City by 100 jobs (-0.3%) since December, but increased over the last year by 3,600 (1.3%) and 400 (1.2%). In Las Vegas, employment grew by 1,500 positions (0.1%) since December and 21,600 (1.9%) from January 2025.
DETR revisions for last year’s employment data uses quarterly data to improve the accuracy of the jobs reports. Among other unexpected improvements from this revision process, the DETR found that construction jobs data was less dire than previously indicated across 2025.
Construction, which had been reported to have lost considerable jobs across 2025, had come out near-even across the year. In January, the industry added 3,500 jobs. Trade, transportation utilities each added an estimated 1,300 jobs. Education and health services dropped roughly 900 jobs, while financial activities lost 800 jobs.
“The biggest caveat in my mind is nationally we know that the monthly estimates for February were a lot weaker,” Schmidt said about the near future. “They were weak in part because of some activity that’s not reflected in Nevada – like a large healthcare strike – so I wouldn’t expect it to be a one-to-one relationship … But those numbers are weaker than I would like, which tempers my enthusiasm.”
Finding a job comes down to the individual, more so than any economic trend, Schmidt told The Center Square.
“When times are good, that’s great, but keep at it because jobs don’t just land in your lap,” he said. “When times are hard, that’s sad, but keep at it because there are still job opportunities out there. Don’t be too distracted by the numbers. For those people who are looking for work, there are jobs, there are services, and our department is here to help.”
For more job-finding information, visit nevadaworkforce.com.
